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HISTORY 

OF THE 

TOWN OF ASHFIELD 

FRANKLIN COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS 

FROM ITS 

SETTLEMENT IN 1742 TO 1910 

By FREDERICK G. HOWES 



Historical Sketch of the Town 



WRITTEN BY 



REV. DR. TraVlAS SHEPARD 






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PREFACE 



At a town meeting held Nov. 3, 1908, it was "Voted that a 
town history be published by the town, and that Frederick G. 
Howes, John M. Sears and Charles A. Hall be a Committee 
of publication." 

It is due to the care and vigilance of our late veteran town 
clerk for fifty years, Henry S. Ranney, Esq., that the records 
of our town have been so well preserved. Not only the books 
of record, but scraps of paper relating to the history of the town 
have been treasured up. 

The manuscript history written by Dr. Shepard over seventy 
years ago, when the early events were fresh in the minds of the 
older people then living, was carefully preserved by Mr. Ranney 
and is published here entire. 

In 1888, Dr. E. R. Ellis of Detroit, Mich., pubHshed a book 
of nearly 500 pages, giving a genealogy of the descendants of 
Richard Ellis, the first settler of Ashfield, also many historical 
sketches of this town. Mr. Ranney and the writer furnished 
considerable matter for the work, also for the "Centennial 
Gazette," and in this book we have quoted from them quite 
freely, sometimes without giving credit. Dr. Ellis kindly 
presented our library with two copies of the book. 

Mr. Barnabas Howes, in his "Sketches of Ashfield," has 
preserved many scraps of our town's history of which we have 
made use. 

Mrs. Amanda F. Hall, with her rich store of historical lore, 
has been very generous in the lending. 

Mr. A. W. Howes and Mr. A. L. Wing have furnished items 
of interest which they noted down as gathered from Mr. George 
Howes and other old people. The town officials have been 
obliging in giving free access to the old records and people in 
general have been very helpful in giving information sought for. 

It could hardly be expected that genealogies of all the families 
would be given. Very full genealogies of the Hall, Howes, 
Phillips, Sears and other town families have been published, 



4 History of Ashfield 

and sketches of many of the old families have been given in the 
Ellis book. The town als.o has voted to publish its vital records 
with the aid given by the state, and these will give the births, 
marriages and deaths as far as can be ascertained from the 
records up to 1855, and will also give the place of burial of each 
person if it can be located. 

We have given brief sketches of many of the early families 
in an endeavor to bring them down within convenient reaching 
distance of the descendants who may care to trace back to 
their ancestors. Many of the early settlers did not put their 
deeds on record, so it is not always easy to ascertain their 
first location and later sojoumings. 

Of the mass of material at hand the compiler's greatest 
difficulty has been to decide what to insert and what to reject. 
Tastes differ; what would please one, might be uninteresting 
and perhaps distasteful to another. 

The pressure of various duties upon the other members of the 
publication committee has put a large share of the labor upon 
the chairman. But such has been the help and encouragement 
received from them, also the valuable aid given by his wife, 
he feels he can use the plural pronoun "we" without affectation. 
But for the errors which may appear, also for the general de- 
merits and imperfections of the book, he holds himself respon- 
sible. 

As we go over the doings of those who have gone before us, 
especially in the records of the church, we find so many of what 
now seem petty quarrels and small bickerings that lead us to 
look upon it as the church militant instead of the church spirit- 
ual, yet through it all there is a spirit of progress, an ever reach- 
ing forward for that which is best. 

So we leave the task with an increased respect and love for 
the work of our fathers and for the good old town which gave 
us birth and a share in its many privileges. 

F. G. H. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



Dr. Shepard's Historical Sketch 
CHAPTER I 

BEGINNINGS 

Records of the Old Proprietors — First Survey of the Township 
Division of Lots — Condition of Country — ^Action by Proprietors 
in Regard to Corn and Saw Mills— The First Settlers— Mills 
Built. 49 

CHAPTER II 

PROGRESS, INDIANS, WHY ASHFIELD? 

Condition of Settlement in 1754-55 — Flight of Settlers from 
Indians — Errors in Dates — Return— Marriage of Ebenezer 
Smith — Old Petition for a Guard — Forts and Garrison — One of 
the Guard Falls in Love with Chileab's Daughter — Second 
Division of Lots into 100 Acres Each — ^Auction Sales for Pay- 
ment of Expenses — Trying to find out where the Town was — 
Troubles with Deerfield — Final Conformation and Incorpora- 
tion — Origin of the Name Ashfield — Act of Incorporation — 
Conway's Grievance. 63 

CHAPTER III 

ROADS, MEETINGHOUSE, BAPTIST TROUBLES 

Early Roads — Building the Meetinghouse — Trouble About 
Location — Frame Erected on Bellows Hill — Taken Down and 
Erected near Village — Trouble with the Baptists — Mr. Charles 
A. Hall's Account of same read before the P. V. M. A. 75 

CHAPTER IV 

RUNNING RECORDS AND EVENTS TO 1812 

Early Town Meetings— Clark of the Market, and Tithing 
Man — Financial Troubles — Refusal to Pay State Tax — Sym- 
pathy of Majority of Citizens with Shays' Rebellion — Guns 
Buried in Pelham Woods Recovered — List of Fifty of Shays' 
Sympathizers Who Were Pardoned — Opposition to Division of 
County— War of 1812. 87 



6 History of Ashfield 

CHAPTER V 

POPULATION 

Who Were Here— Tax List, 1766— Additions in 1772— Who 
Were Here in 1793, Tax Payers for That Year— Who Were Here 
and Where They Lived in 1822— School District List— Popu- 
lation by Half Decades from 1765 to 1910 — Decrease in Popu- 
lation, Causes of. 

CHAPTER VI 



95 



ROADS AND POST OFFICES 

The Earher Roads — The Four County Roads in 1795 — The 
Buckland and Hawley Roads — Opposition to New Roads — 
New Roads Later — The Highway District System — Struggles 
for the Town System — The First Road Machine — Highway 
Accidents — Post Route and Post OfKices — Stage Routes and 
Stage Drivers — Early Cost of Postage. 109 

CHAPTER VII 

INDUSTRIES, ETC. 

Agriculture — Old Mills and Various Industries — Stores — 
Taverns — ^Ashfield Business Ads. in Old Hampshire Gazette — 
Ashfield Insurance Co. and Fires — ^Ashfield Water and Fire 
Co. — Railroad Aspirations. 119 

CHAPTER VIII 

TOPOGRAPHY OF TOWN 

Survey of Town in 1794 and 1830 Compared — Trouble Over 
Goshen Line — Question of Birthplace of Mary Lyon — Height 
of Different Locations — Scenery, Drives, etc. — Old Houses — 
Types of Houses Built from 1790 to 1810— Same from 1830 to 
1850— Builders Employed— Shallow and Deeper Wells — "The 
Gravity System." i^'^'j 

CHAPTER IX 

CHURCHES 

Founding of Baptist Church in 1753 by Chileab Smith — 
Troubles with the "other Society" — Division of the Church 
in 1789 — Chileab's Opposition to "hirelings" as Preachers — 



Table of Contents 7 

Cases of Discipline — 1796, Churches Again United — 1831, 
Church Moved— 1814, The South Ashfield Baptist Church- 
Rev. Josiah Loomis — 1867, Ashfield Plain Baptist Church — 
Ministers — 1763, Congregational Church — Rev. Willard Brig- 
ham's Centennial Paper — Organization and Creed — Rev. Jacob 
Sherwin — Rev. Nehemiah Porter — Controversy with the Bap- 
tists — 1808, Rev. Alvan Sanderson — New Meetinghouse and 
the Woodbridge Dissension — 1819, Beginning of Rev. Thomas 
Shepard's Pastorate of 14 Years — 1833, Rev. Mason Grosvenor 
and Trouble with the Doctors — 1836, Rev. Burr Baldwin — 
1840, Rev. S. D. Clark, Church Remodeled, Singing Trouble— 
1851, Rev. Wm. H. Gilbert and Division of Church— 1855, Rev. 
Willard Brigham and Removal of the Meetinghouse — Later 
Ministers and Union of the Churches — Episcopal Church — 
Dr. Huntington's Paper — Formation, 1820 — Church Built 1827 
■ — Different Pastors — 1836, Rev. Jacob Pearson, Sunday School 
Established — 1850, Rectory Purchase — 1862, Rev. Brinton 
Flower — 1864, Rev. Lewis Green Began Pastorate of 19 Years — 
Rev. Dr. Huntington — Late Pastors — Records of Universalist 
Church — Old Chapel— Methodist Church — Ministers and 
Missionaries. 149 

CHAPTER X 

SCHOOLS 

First Action of Town Regarding — School Districts Formed — 
Dates of Organization — E. C. Gardner's description of the 
old "Round School" — Sums of Money Raised for Schools 
from 1766 to 1900 — School Supervision — Names of School 
Committees — Early Teachers — Good Points of the Old District 
System — District Meetings — Interest of Parents — Spelling 
Schools — Lyceums — Mr. Curtis' Description of Steady Lane 
School— Long Routes for Pupils — Extract from Old District 
Account Book. 



CHAPTER XI 

THE ACADEMY AND LIBRARY 

Academy Founded by Alvan Sanderson — Organization and 
Brief Review — Early Teachers — Mary L^^on as Pupil and 



175 



8 History of Ashfield 

Teacher — Later Teachers — Trustees Serving — Students Who 
Became Noted^Decline of School and Decision of Messrs. 
Norton and Curtis to Revive It — The Academy Dinners — 
Donations of Mr. and Mrs. Field — The New Academy — Co- 
operation with the Town — Alvan Sanderson's Bequest — Teach- 
ers in New Academy — Graduates From — Changes by Superin- 
tendent Judkins — Tribute to Deceased Trustees — The Library 
— Organization of, 1815 — Librarians and Chief Supporters — 
Standard Books Selected^ — Educational Influence of Library — 
1862, Loss of Interest in Library — Reorganization by Aid of 
Messrs. Curtis and Norton — Gifts for the Library by Mrs. 
Field, Mr. Lilly and Others — Twenty-three Lectures by Mr. 
Curtis; also Lectures by Professor Norton and Dr. G. Stanley 
Hall — Offlcers — Branch Libraries. 191 

CHAPTER XII 

TOWN OFFICERS, CIVIL MAGISTRATES 

List of Men Who Have Served as Selectmen, Town Clerks 
and Treasurers — Representatives to General Court — Whigs 
and Democrats — Growth of Liberty and Freesoil Party- 
Election of Freesoil Candidate in 1849 by One Vote — The 
"Old Swivel" Plays a Part — Mr. Blake's Election Contested — 
1850, Mr. Blake Reelected by Close Vote— The Know Nothings 
— The Early Magistrates — Esq. Phillips — Esq. Williams- 
Esq. Paine — Esq. White — Esq. Bassett — Esqs. Sanderson — • 
Bement — Ranney — And the Later Justices. 213 

CHAPTER XIII 

THE REVOLUTION 

Financial Distress — The Tories — Minister Joins Army — 
Bounties for Soldiers — "Sink of Money" — The Five Day 
Enlistments — The Ashfield Captains — The Soldier List of 
Over 170 Men. 227 

CHAPTER XIV 

CEMETERIES 

Oldest Burial Ground? — Alleged Wizard Refused Burial — 
Baptist Corner and Beldingville Cemeteries — Plain Cemetery — 



Table of Contents 9 

Northwest Cemetery and the Taylor Benefactions — The Spruce 
Comer, Meetinghouse Hill, Briar Hill and South Ashfield 
Cemeteries — Ashfield Burial Ground Association — Funerals 
and Burials — Casualties. 239 

CHAPTER XV 

THE NEW MEETINGHOUSE 

Differences as to Its Location — Decision by Referees — 
Building of House by Col. John Ames in 1812 — Suicide of 
Builder — Mrs. Miles' Description of New House — 1840, 
Divided into Two Rooms — 1857, House Moved to Village — 
Town Meeting Formerly Held in Old Meetinghouse — 1820, 
John Williams Leases Hall to Town — 1848, Sues to Recover 
Pay — Description of Hall and Meetings — Attempts to Build 
New Town House — Proposition to Buy Room in Old Meeting- 
house Defeated — The Two Churches United and Meetinghouse 
Bought by the Town — Repairs and Changes of Town Hall — 
Peculiar Architecture. 251 

CHAPTER XVI 

PROVISION FOR THE POOR 

Early Provision For — Boarded Out — Prisoners' Families — 
Children Bound Out — ^Votes for Poor House — Surplus Revenue 
— The Town Poor Farm — The Miller Fund — Intemperance 
and the Reform. 



CHAPTER XVII 

ASHFIELD CENTENNIAL, 1865 

Greenfield Gazette's Account of — Senator Dawes' Address of 
Welcome — Toasts and Responses — Dr. Paine's Address — 
Poems on the Occasion. 

CHAPTER XVIII 



261 



269 



THE CIVIL WAR 

Action of Town in Raising Men — List of Men Serving From 
Ashfield — Sketches of the 10th and 34th Regiments — Extracts 
from Journal of Roswell L. Church— 52d, 31st, 37th, 60th, 27th 
and 25th Regiments and 1st Massachusetts Cavalry — Soldiers' 
Monument. 289 



10 History of Ashfield 

CHAPTER XIX 

MILITIA COMPANIES AND OTHER MATTERS 

North and South MiHtia Companies — -Trainings and Musters 
— ^Wild Beasts — Hunting and Fishing — Wrestling Matches — 
The Old Swivel. 303 

CHAPTER XX 

OLD FAMILIES AND EARLY SCHOOL DISTRICTS 

The Aldens—Beldings—Eldredges— Halls— Henry C. Hall- 
Principal Joseph Hall — President G. Stanley and Rev. Robert 
Hall — Seven Branches of Howes Families — Four Branches of 
Sears Famihes — Four Branches of Smiths — Dr. Walter — 
Three Branches of Taylors — School Districts — Baptist Comer 
— ^Wardville — Postmaster Gen. Paine — Plain — Mr. Ranney's 
Account of — Steady Lane — ^Alonzo Lilly — South Ashfield — 
Samuel Allen — Briar Hill — The Loomis Family — Chapel Falls 
— Alvan Clark — ^Apple Valley — -Northwest — New Boston — 
Spruce Comer — Clarence Hawkes, the Blind Writer — His 
Boyhood Impressions — Cape Street. ^n 

CHAPTER XXI 

MRS. miles' AND H. M. SMITH'S REMINISCENCES 

Household Industries — Food, First Barrel of Flour — Hired 
Girls and Female Teachers Get $1 Per Week — Social Visits^ 
Losing the Fire — No Clock — The Old Steady Lane School- 
house — Our School Books and Lessons — Teachers and Progress 
Made — 1835, Enters Franklin Academy at Shelburne Falls — 
Description of Village and School — Her First Experience as 
Teacher — Notes on Her 40 Years' Experience as Teacher — 
1875, Marriage to Mr. Miles — Retrospect — Reminiscences, 
H. M. Smith — Ancestors — Summer Life on the Farm — Old 
Steady Lane School — The "Old Bell Meetinghouse." 335 

CHAPTER XXII 

PRES. G. STANLEY HALL's BOY LIFE IN ASHFIELD 

Winter Occupations — Women's Work — Children's Amuse- 
ments — Rainy Day Yams — Philander's Old Gun — Breaking 



Table of Contents 11 

Roads — Household Trades — Good Educational Influence of 

Old Life. 349 

CHAPTER XXni 

PHYSICIANS, SECRET SOCIETIES, ETC. 

Early Physicians — Dr. Bartlett — Dr. Smith — Anecdotes of 
— The Two Dr. Knowltons — Later Physicians — Consumption 
- — Small Pox — Masonic Lodge in 1826 — Grange — Shakers in 
Ashfield — Millerism. 



CHAPTER XXIV 





365 



ASHFIELD SUMMER RESIDENTS 

Professor Norton's First Visit to the Town — Purchase of a 
Place by Him and by Mr. Curtis — Interest in the Town Mani- 
fested — The Well Worn Footpath — Mr. Curtis' Lectures — ■ 
The Academy Dinners — Mr. Curtis' Death and Funeral in 
1892— Death of Professor Norton in 1908— Tablets Erected 
in Town Hall — Mr. and Mrs. John W. Field — Mrs. Lowell and 
Mr. Farragut — Other Summer Residents. ^^^ 



APPENDIX 389 



''V' - iiiiir ^ 

^'' LIBRARY 




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Dr. Shepard's Historical Sketch 13 



SKETCHES 

IN THE 

HISTORY OF ASHFIELD, MASS., FROM ITS 

FIRST SETTLEMENT TO THE 

YEAR 1833 



DEDICATION 

To the inhabitants of the First Parish in Ashfield over whom 
the writer was settled in the Gospel ministrs^ for nearly fourteen 
years, and with whom he lived in uninterrupted harmony and 
mutual confidence, these sketches in the history of their town 
are most alTectionately and respectfully dedicated, by their 
most obliged and obedient servant, 

The Author. 

Amherst, March, 1834. 

introduction 
It cannot be expected that a town comparatively of such 
recent origin, and so retired in its location as this, should afford, 
in the progress of its history, many events of general interest. 
To those, however, who were born and educated here, and to 
those who now live here, it must be a matter of considerable 
interest to know who were the pioneers of this town, and what 
are some of those principal events that have transpired here 
since the howl of the wild beast was alone heard through the 
forest, which spread unbroken over these hills and vales, now 
verdant under the cultivating hand of a numerous and thriving 
population. To the generations that may come after us, who 
may have little or no access to the facts connected with the 
early history of this place, which are familiar to us by tradition, 
a written history must be of increasing value. With a view of 
rescuing from oblivion many events connected with the early 
settlement of this town, and to hand them down for the informa- 
tion and amusement of those who may come after us, as well 



14 History of Ashfield 

as to revive in the memory- of many now living, the things of 
former years, I have, by conversation with the few surviving 
fathers of the town, and by a diligent examination of its ancient 
and modern records, drawn out the following imperfect sketch 
of the principal events in its history. 

BOUNDARIES 

That portion of territory within the County of Franklin now 
called Ashfield was originally intended to embrace a tract of 
land six miles square ; but from some unknown cause, its present 
boundaries do not lie in this exact form. The town, if reduced 
to regular dimensions, would fonn a square whose sides would 
extend six miles and one-fifth, inclosing an area of 24,601 V2 
acres. 

SOIL — CLIMATE DISEASES — POPULATION 

The surface of this town is broken into hills and valleys and 
contains but a comparatively small portion of arable land. 
Indian corn succeeds well, but English grain is of secondary 
quality compared with that raised on the lighter soils of Con- 
necticut river. Wheat is seldom sown. Grazing may be said 
to be a principal object with the farming interest. Large dairies 
are kept here, and many tons of the finest wool are yearly 
furnished for the manufactories. The highest mountain in the 
town is that situated west of the pond. Its height is estimated 
at about 800 feet.* There are no very considerable streams 
running through the town, inviting the manufacturing capitalist. 
The principal streams, however, furnish water power for all 
domestic purposes. Water from the springs and wells is gen- 
erally of ready access and of the purest quality. The winters 
are long and severe. The snow generally falls about the first 
of December and continues until the first of April. During 
February and March the ways are frequently blocked and pass- 

^ *Peter's Mountain, named from a colored man who lived there in early 
times. About 1885 Hon. James Russell Lowell, late U. S. Minister to Eng- 
land, purchased a site for a summer residence on the east side of this moun- 
tain. Soon after, his wife died, and Mr. Lowell removed to England, and, 
it is said, has decided not to build thereon. It is a very sightly place, and 
from its top, on a clear day, points in New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecti- 
cut and New York are visible. It is 1840 feet in height. 



Dr. Shepard's Historical Sketch , 15 

ing difficult. The climate, though severe in winter, is neverthe- 
less healthy. The prevailing disease with the middle-aged, upon 
these mountains, may be said to be consumption. This may be 
owing in part, perhaps, to the severe and variable winters. 
From the year 1819 to 1831, twelve years, one hundred and 
sixty-three persons died in this town over 12 years of age. Of 
these, nine died by casualties, or, as is commonly said, by acci- 
dent; twenty-one of old age, and ten by diseases unknown to 
the writer; leaving one hundred and twenty-three persons over 
12 years of age who have died in consequence of some definable 
disease. Of these 123 persons, fifty-four — nearly one-half — 
died with the consumption. Dysentery has frequently pre- 
vailed among children during the months of August and Septem- 
ber. In 1825 twenty-one under five years died in this town, 
most of whom were carried off by the above complaint. During 
1829 and 1830 the scarlet fever or canker rash prevailed very 
extensively, and in several instances proved mortal to children. 

The average number of deaths during the fourteen years of 
the writer's connection with this people was a fraction over 
twenty-two a year, which would be one from every twenty-five 
of its inhabitants. The highest number of deaths in any one year 
during this period was thirty-seven; the lowest number, thirteen. 

The population of Ashfield in 1820 was 1,748; in 1830 it was 
1,732. The town contains four houses for religious worship, 
one academy, thirteen schoolhouses, two hundred and fifty 
dwelling-houses, three taverns, five stores, two gristmills, nine 
sawmills, three clothier shops and three carding machines. It 
also has two machines for turning broom handles, five black- 
smith shops and two tanneries. 

FIRST SETTLEMENT 

The original name of this place was Huntstown; a name given 
to it in honor of Capt. Ephraim Hunt, of Weymouth. In the 
year 1690 this gentleman was sent out, by order of Government, 
as commander of a company of men selected from Weymouth 
and vicinity, in an expedition against the Canadas, in a contest 
between the English and French, commonly called King Wil- 
liam's war. This war commenced in the year 1690 and termin- 



16 History of Ashfield 

ated in 1697. It was attended with many disastrous conse- 
quences to the American Colonies. An infuriated horde of 
savage warriors were let loose upon our scattered and defence- 
less population. The company under the command of Capt. 
Hunt composed a part of an expedition fitted out by the united 
colonies of New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts, for the 
reduction of Montreal and Quebec, then in the hands of the 
French. A combination of unfortunate circumstances, how- 
ever, defeated the design, and the expedition, after encounter- 
ing numerous hardships and disasters, returned without accom- 
plishing their object. The success of the expedition had been 
so confidently anticipated that no express provision had been 
made for the payment of the troops. Massachusetts, in the 
low state of her finances, issued bills of credit as a substitute for 
money; and in the year 1736, after a delay of more than forty- 
six years, redeemed those bills; at least, so far as the aforesaid 
company was concerned, by granting them, their heirs or legal 
representatives, a tract of land within the limits of this town. 
In the conditions of the grant express provision was made for 
the early settlement of the town, the erection of a meetinghouse, 
the settlement of a learned and orthodox minister, and the 
cause of common schools. By a Committee of General Court 
sixty-three lots, called Rights, containing from fifty to sixty- 
three acres each, according to the quality of the land, were set 
off and numbered, to be disposed of as follows: One right to be 
given to the first settled minister, one right for the use of the 
ministry, and one right for the use of common schools. The 
remaining sixty rights were to be divided by lot among the 
officers and privates of the aforesaid company, their heirs or 
legal representatives. The grantees — or Proprietors, as they 
were henceforth called — held their first meeting at Weymouth ^ 
where most of them resided, March 13, 1738, and on the 24th 
of July, 1739, they met again at the same place and drew lots 
for their respective rights, set oft" for them by government in 
this town. 

The early settlement of the town being a desirable object 
with the proprietors, inasmuch as it would tend to enhance the 



Dr. Shepard's Historical Sketch 17 

value of the property they now owned in it, they passed a re- 
solve, May 28, 1741, that a bounty of £5 should be paid to each 
of the first ten of their number who should take actual posses- 
sion of their respective rights, build a house and bring under 
cultivation six acres of land individually. How many of those 
men who endured the toils and privations of the Canada expedi- 
tion lived to receive their bounty of land, does not appear; but 
the lapse of forty-six years from the expiration of that expedi- 
tion, very probably had carried the greater part of them to that 
"bourn from whence no traveler returns," and their heirs alone 
remained to realize the tardy remuneration which should have 
long before fallen to those who had sustained the burden and 
heat of that perilous day. Nor does it appear from the records 
that any of the original i^roprietors ever settled upon their 
lands in person. Their rights were sold to others of a more 
adventurous spirit, from time to time, as they had opportunity. 
In the meantime taxes began to accumulate upon them, and many 
of them were parted with for a little more than was sufficient 
to meet the demands of the collector. 

The precise year when a permanent settlement was made in 
this town I have not been able to ascertain.* Soon after the 
lots were drawn, in 1739, it doubtless became the temporary 
abode of emigrants, as they came out from time to time to 
pioneer the wilderness. From the best information I have been 
able to obtain, I have been led to fix the first permanent settle- 
inent of this town about the year 1745.t The first family that 
pitched their tent upon these hills as permanent residents was 
that of Mr. Richard Ellis, a native of Dublin, in Ireland. Re- 
specting the immigration of this gentleman from that distant 
land to America, tradition has handed down in the family the 
following account, which, if true, is only in accordance with 
many of the like kind — the result of the cupidity and knavery 
of unprincipled shipmasters. The story is this: Mr. Ellis was 
the only son of a widow. A wealthy planter living in Virginia, 

*A corn mill was built in the year 1743. It is believed that a permanent 
settlement was made in 1741. 

fPreaching was had here as early as 1742. See Proprietors' Records, 
pp. 51, 54 and 55. 



18 History of Ashfield 

a native of Ireland, having no children, made application to his 
friend in Dublin to send him out some youth of promise, to be 
adopted into his family and brought up under his care and 
patronage. Young Ellis was selected and sent out for this pur- 
pose. On his embarkation his passage was paid and an agree- 
ment made with the captain of the ship to land him safely on 
the coast of Virginia. Faithless to his trust, he brought the 
youth to Boston and there sold him for his passage money. 
After serving the time thus unjustly extorted from him he re- 
moved from Boston, and at length settled in Easton, where he 
was married. From Easton he came to this town. The first 
tree was felled by his hands, on White Brook, a small stream 
running a little to the west of the dwelling of Mr. Phineas 
Flower. He built for his family the first habitation in the north- 
eastern section of the town — a log cabin, partly under ground, 
in the side of the hill, about fifty rods to the east of Mr. John 
Belding's, near the ancient burying yard, and where the new 
road runs. The next immigrant to this lonely wilderness was 
Mr. Thomas Phillips, with his family, from Easton, whose 
sister was the wife of Mr. Ellis. Mr. Phillips built for himself 
a log house about one-half of a mile to the north of the dwelling 
of his only fellow-townsman, Mr. Ellis. Soon a third family 
was added — that of Mr. Chileab Smith, from that part of Hadley 
now called South Hadley. Mr. Smith settled on the spot which 
the house of his son, Chileab Smith, now occupies. Mr. Smith, 
the present occupant, now in his 92d year, J was about 8 years 
old when his father removed to this town. To the retentive 
memory and free communication of this venerable father and 
pillar in the town I am indebted for many of the facts here 
recorded. 

Among the earliest accessions to the settlement as it now 
consisted of three families, was Dea. Ebenezer Belding, from 
Hatfield, and Samuel Belding, from Deerfield, with their fami- 
lies. Other settlers came in from time to time, from different 
quarters. A number of families joined them from the southern 

JHe died in the year 1843, aged 100 years and 8 months. — H. S. R. 



Dr. Shepard's Historical Sketch 19 

part of Connecticut, so that by the year 1754 they numbered 
from ten to fifteen families and nearly one hundred souls. 

TRIALS or THE SETTLERS SETTLEMENT ABANDONED 

This little colony of immigrants, thus removed from their 
friends and from civilized society, in the midst of a mountainous 
wilderness, with scarcely any means of intercourse with those 
they had left behind, were permitted, under the watchful hand 
of Providence, to pursue their labors with comfortable success, 
subjected, of course, to a thousand self-denials incident to the 
pioneers of the forest, of which we, in these days of pampered 
indulgence, can form no adequate conception. For a number 
of years they had no other means of grinding their corn than by 
a mill turned by a horse. They had also to contend with bad 
roads, with rapid streams without the convenience of bridges, 
and with deep snows in the winter without the means of main- 
taining a beaten path. But all these inconveniences could be 
endured so long as they were secure from the attacks of the 
merciless savages, that still prowled around the infant settle- 
ments of our country, seeking whom they might devour. Such 
security and quietness, however, they were not long permitted 
to enjoy. The year 1754 was memorable for the breaking out 
of fresh hostilities between the French and the English. This 
war let loose again the Indians upon the defenceless frontier 
settlements of our colonies. During the month of June of this 
year a party of inen at work near Rice's fort, in the upper part 
of Charlemont, was attacked by a body of Indians, and two 
of their number were killed and two taken prisoners. The 
tidings of this Indian massacre spread abroad and quickly 
reached the settlement in Huntstown and occasioned great 
alarm. Being few in number, and with small means of defense, 
they had no other alternative than to fly back to the older set- 
tlements, or to expose their wives and children to the tomahawk 
and scalping-knife of the savage foe. After a hasty deliberation 
the former course was resolved on. Accordingly, on the same 
afternoon in which they received the tidings from Charlemont, 
they abandoned their houses, improvements, stores, etc., except 



20 History of Ashfield 

such as could be transported on horseback, and set off, one and 
all, for the older settlements on Connecticut River. A middle- 
aged woman, the mother of the present Chileab Smith, traveled 
ten miles on foot before they encamped for the night. What is 
now Conway was then a part of Deerfield and a howling wilder- 
ness, without an inhabitant or a shelter to protect the refugees. 
Their first halt was at Bloody Brook, where they spent the night. 
Early the next morning the few inhabitants of the latter place 
abandoned their dwellings and joined them in their various 
dispersions to places of greater security. This sudden abandon- 
ment of their possessions, after having just gotten into a condi- 
tion of comfortable living, could not have been otherwise than 
a sore trial to the first settlers of this town. It must have in- 
volved them in very considerable loss of property, besides being 
a very serious disappointment to their plans and prospects. 
But it appears to have been submitted to by them with that 
patient endurance and undaunted fortitude for which the men 
of that perilous period were so eminently distinguished. 

RETURN OF THE SETTLERS MEANS OF PROTECTION 

According to the best information within my reach, the time 
during which the settlers were absent from their possessions 
was between two and three years. It is not unlikely, however, 
that dtiring this period individuals might have visited this 
place; but they did not presume to return with their families 
until the time specified. After the return of the refugees to 
their possessions in Huntstown, the war still continuing, their 
first object was to erect a fort for their common defense. This 
was accomplished on the ground occupied by Mr. Smith, and 
principally at his own expense. The area inclosed by the fort 
was a square piece of ground containing 81 square rods. It was 
constructed of upright logs of sufficient thickness to be bullet 
proof, set three feet into the earth and rising twelve feet above. 
The inclosure had but one gate, opening to the south, which 
was always shut and strongly barred during the night. Within 
the fort stood the dwelling of Mr. Smith, which served as a 
garrison within which the settlers felt secure from attack during 



Dr. Shepard's Historical Sketch 21 

the night. On its roof was constructed, of logs, a tower of suffi- 
cient magnitude to contain six men with their arms. Port-holes 
were so arranged in its sides as to afford its inmates a fair aim 
at their assailants without, while secure from their balls within. 
This house stood in the center of the fort, and on the same 
ground now occupied by the dwelling of Chileab Smith. 

After remaining in this state for about one year, standing on 
their own defense — keeping watch by night, and laboring by 
day with their arms by their side — they solicited and obtained 
from the authorities of the colony a company of nine soldiers, 
under the command of a sergeant by the name of Allen, for 
their greater security. This guard arrived, under the general 
order of Col. Israel Williams, June, 1757. This company con- 
tinued in the settlement until the close of the war, which was 
about two years from the time of their arrival. Their duty was 
to go, under arms, with the people, to protect them in their 
labors during the day, and to return with them into the fort and, 
in their turn, stand sentinel during the night. In the process 
of time, and before the close of the war, another fort, six rods 
square, was built by the settlers, in the same manner as the 
first, about one mile and a half southwest of it, near the house 
now occupied by Mr. Sears. This fort was used for the same 
purposes as the other. 

In the good providence of God the settlement was preserved 
safe from the attack of the enemy. Nor were any Indians dis- 
covered near it except in one instance. As a daughter of Mr. 
Smith was walking out one evening, just as the sun was setting, 
she discovered an Indian within about twenty rods of the fort, 
surveying it very attentively. With great haste and terror she 
flew back to the gate and gave the alarm: "The Indians are 
upon us!" The soldiers immediately rallied and commenced 
pursuit; but darkness soon coming on, they returned without 
discovering the enemy. During the night they slept upon their 
arms and early next morning renewed their search through the 
woods, but saw nothing save the evident trail of a small hunt- 
ing party, probably sent out to reconnoiter the settlement; but, 
finding it well garrisoned, they presumed not to molest them 



22 History of Ashfield 

afterward. For about two years the first settlers of this town 
were destined to live in this state of constant agitation and alarm. 
Often were their sympathies deeply excited by the narration of 
savage barbarities committed upon theirmore unfortunate fellow- 
citizens in other places. They felt themselves in jeopardy every 
hour. As they retired to rest each night they knew not but that 
they should be aroused by the yell of the war whoop, to behold 
their dwellings in flames, and their wives and little ones in the 
merciless grasp of the wild men of the woods. The taking of 
Quebec by the enterprise and daring of the gallant Gen. Wolfe, 
in 1759, restored peace to the colonies. The soldiers stationed 
here were disbanded, and the settlers, to their unspeakable 
satisfaction, were again permitted to pursue their daily avoca- 
tions without fear of molestation.* 

proprietors' acts 

The first meeting of the proprietors was held in Weymouth, 
or Braintree, as the town was originally called, March 13, 1738. 
They afterwards met at Hadley, then at Hatfield, and finally, 
in 1754, in Huntstown. The following gentlemen, in the order 
in which their names are here recorded, served as proprietors' 
clerks, viz: William Crane, Richard Faxon, Israel Williams, 
Esq., Ephraim Marble, Reuben Belding, Jacob Sherwin, Esq., 
Ephraim Williams, Esq. 

The proprietors took early measures to supply the settlement 
with mills. They built, at their own expense, in the year 1743, 
the first grist mill on Pond Brook, about 100 rods northeasterly 
from the Episcopal Church, where the remains of a similar 
establishment may now be seen. Subsequently, in the year 
1753, they erected a saw mill on Bear River, about half a mile 
east of the dwelling of Israel Phillips. 

At the commencement of this sketch we noticed in the original 
grant express provision for the support of an orthodox ministry. 
The fathers of New England were the descendents of the Puri- 
tans. Although they sought no alliance between Church and 
State, they knew full well that no government could secure the 



"In 1761 there were 19 families residing here. 



Dr. Shepard's Historical Sketch 23 

morality and happiness of a people without the prevalence of 
pure and undefiled religion. Actuated by the same spirit, the 
proprietors took early measures to secure to the town the stated 
ministration of the Gospel. At a meeting held November, 1751, 
a sum of money was raised to supply the settlement with preach- 
ing. In 1763 they settled a Congregational minister, and in 
1767 they erected and finished a convenient house for public 
worship. But more concerning these things will be related in 
its more appropriate place. 

DOINGS OF THE TOWN ACT OF INCORPORATION 

The records of the town previous to 1776 are very imper- 
fectly preserved. There are remaining in the to'wn clerk's office 
only a few separate scraps of paper bearing date prior to the 
aforesaid year. Of this early period I have been able to glean 
only the following items : 

The first town meeting of which any record remains was held 
March 8, 1762, at the dwelling house of Jonathan Sprague. 
Ebenezer Belding was chosen Moderator, and Samuel Belding 
town clerk. The business was not of sufficient importance to 
be noticed here. 

In June, 1765, by act of General Court, the town was incor- 
porated by the name of Ashfield. The warrant to call the first 
meeting under the act of incorporation was issued by Thomas 
Williams, Esq., of Deerfield, and directed to Samuel Belding, 
clerk of this town. The first town officers under the incorpora- 
tion were: Benjamin Phillips, Town Clerk; David Alden, 
Treasurer; Chileab Smith, Aioses Fuller, Thomas Phillips, 
Selectmen.* 

The subject of common schools began early to engage the 
attention of the fathers of this town. They seemed fully to 
understand the orthodox doctrine — that a free government can 
only be sustained by an intelligent population. Accordingly, 
they voted, in 1772, to divide the town into three school 
districts and to build a schoolhouse.f 



*See the Town Book of Records — copied in 1857 — page 6. — H. S. R. 
fin the year 1766, at the first annual meeting subsequent to its incorpora- 
tion, thej'^ voted £4 for the school. 



24 History of Ashfield 

According to the records, the first representative chosen for 
the purpose of acting in the affairs of the State was Capt. Elisha 
Cranston. In 1775 this gentleman was chosen to represent the 
town in the congress to be convened at Watertown, Boston then 
being in the possession of the British troops. 

WAR OF THE REVOLUTION 

A period now approached fraught with the most trying scenes 
ever experienced by the citizens of these United vStates. It was 
the War of the Revolution. In the events which preceded and 
attended that trying period, the citizens of this town, although 
removed from the principal scene of action, were nevertheless 
deeply interested, and in them they took a decided part. As 
early as September, 1774, when events in and about Boston 
began to wear the aspect of hostilities, and the first Continental 
Congress had coinmenced its session in Philadelphia, the follow- 
ing covenant, previously drawn up by a committee chosen for 
the purpose, was signed by Benjamin Phillips and sixty-four 
others, citizens of this town: 

"We, the subscribers, inhabitants of the town of Ashfield, 
from a principle of self-preservation, the dictate of natural con- 
science, and a sacred regard to the constitution and laws of our 
country, which were instituted for the security of our lives and 
property, do severally and mutually covenant, promise and 
engage, with each other and all of us: 

"1. That we profess ourselves subject to our Sovereign Lord 
the King, and hold ourselves in duty bound to yield obedience 
to all his good and wholesome laws. 

"2. That we bear testimony against all the oppressive and 
unconstitutional laws of the British Parliament, whereby the 
chartered privileges of this province are struck at and cashiered. 

"3. That we will not be aiding, nor in any way assisting, in 
any trade with the Island of Great Britain, until she withdraws 
her oppressive hand, or until a trade is come into b}^ the several 
colonies. 

"4. That we will join with our neighboring towns in this 
province, and sister colonies in America, in contending for and 



Dr. Shepard's Historical Sketch 25 

defending our rights and privileges, civil and religious, which 
we have a just right to do, both by nature and by charter. 

"5. That we will make preparation, that we may be equipped 
with ammunition and other necessaries, at town cost, for the 
above purposes. 

"6. That we will do all we can to suppress petty mobs, tri- 
fling and causeless." 

That the signing of these articles of covenant was not a mere 
matter of unmeaning form appears evident from the fact that 
in the following August the town voted to send an agent to 
Albany for the purpose of purchasing guns and ammunition, 
at the expense of the town. At length affairs at headquarters 
came to a crisis. On the 19th of April, 1775, an attack was made 
by a column of the British anny, under the command of Maj. 
Pitcaim, upon our unoffending 3^eomanry at Lexington; and 
thenceforth commenced that unequal conflict which, after eight 
years of toil, privation and blood, resulted, in the providence of 
God, in the independence of these United States. 

Such was the poverty of our government, and such their 
inability to raise the necessary means of sustaining an army 
sufficient to face the hosts of Britain, that at the commencement 
of hostilities it, of necessity, devolved upon the patriotism of 
the towns from which the soldiers were drafted, to furnish them 
with supplies and, in many instances, to become responsible for 
their wages during service. The citizens of this town, as their 
records fully evince, did not remain idle spectators of this con- 
test. They fell not behind the spirit of the times in their devo- 
tion to the cause of freedom, and their willingness to sacrifice 
almost any temporal comfort in securing it to themselves and 
their posterity. 

It would extend altogether beyond the limits of this sketch to 
quote at length the patriotic doings of this town in lending their 
aid to encourage and carry forward the War of the Revolution. 
A few facts selected from their records is all that my limits will 
permit me to notice. 

In fully estimating the sacrifices made by our fathers in com- 
ing forward with their voluntary contributions in sustaining the 



26 History of Ashfield 

War of the Revolution, we must take into the account two im- 
portant circumstances: first, the fact of their having just begun 
to subdue the wilderness, and the consequent state of depend- 
ence in which most of them were placed in regard to the neces- 
sary means of subsistence; and, secondly, the uncertain and 
changeable state of their monied currency. Notwithstanding 
these pressing embarrassments, we find the inhabitants of this 
town at one time voting, in open town meeting, to furnish the 
army with a lot of coats. At another time we find them offering 
a bounty to such as might enlist from among them to serve in 
the war; and at another, voting a sum of money to purchase 
provisions to be sent to the famishing army. In 1779 the town 
voted to pay the soldiers enlisted from among them, for nine 
months' service, forty shillings per month in addition to the 
bounty offered by General Court — the value of the money to be 
regulated by corn at 2s. 6d., rye at 3s. 4d., and wheat at 4s. 6d. 
per bushel. In 1780 the town voted to give, by way of encour- 
agement, to each man who should enlist in the army for three 
years, "twenty calves." Said calves were to be procured in the 
following May and kept at the town's cost until the three years 
had expired. How many of these men returned to receive their 
bounty, then grown to be oxen and cows, does not appear. In 
1781 the town voted to raise "ninety silver dollars" to purchase 
the amount of beef that fell to their share for the army. The 
same year eight men were enlisted from this town for three 
months' service who were to receive from the town treasury 
£4 per month, and $10 each before they marched. In 1777 
Rev. Nehemiah Porter, in consequence of the enfeebled state 
of his people, and the consequent depreciation of his support, 
joined the army on the North River [Hudson] in the capacity 
of Chaplain, and continued with them until the capture of 
Burgoyne. 

During this severe and protracted controversy with the 
mother country the people of this town, in common with their 
brethren in other parts of the provinces, suffered great embar- 
rassments in consequence of the fluctuating state of their paper 
currency. The enonnous depreciation of this currency in 1780 



Dr. Shepard's Historical Sketch 27 

may be learned from the fact that during that year the town 
raised and expended upon the highways three thousand pounds! 
It was the custom of the town, at their annual meeting in March, 
to choose a "Committee of Safety, to do what in them lay to 
regulate the price of provisions and to ease the burdens of the 
people." A Committee of Correspondence was also appointed 
annually, to confer with similar committees in other places, in 
relation to the trying and critical state of public affairs. 

One item of record in these troublous times — "times which" 
emphatically "tried men's souls"- — I cannot omit to notice, 
although it is somewhat of a delicate nature; but inasmuch as 
it evinces that ever vigilant and stem spirit which characterized 
the patriot of that generation, I shall be excused by omitting 
names in the narrative: At a legal meeting held July 18, 1777, 
it was voted "that Aaron Lyon be a meet person to procure 
evidence against certain persons who are thought to be inimical 
to the Ainerican States." At a subsequent meeting, in August 
following, the Selectmen were requested to bring in a list of 
persons whom they viewed to be of the above description. This 
report contained the names of nine persons, among whom were 
some of the most respectable and leading men in the town. 
Whereupon it was voted that the persons thus reported "appear 
so unfriendly to the American States that they ought to be 
brought to proper trial." It was also voted at the same meeting, 
these suspected men "be committed to close confinement in 
this town." One of the prisoners, however, in consequence of 
the sickness of his family, was exempted from confinement on 
condition of delivering up his arms and ammunition. The others 
were forthwith dispatched to a private dwelling, under a strong 
guard selected and supported by the town. After continuing 
thus imprisoned for about seven days and nights the town met 
again and voted "to dismiss the guard and release the prisoners 
from close confinement." This transaction is but a faint speci- 
men of what transpired in every section of the country between 
the resolute and the timid, the friends and the foes of war. 
Many a house was divided against itself; friends, neighbors, 
brethren, took different sides in the contest and were fiercely 



28 History of Ashfield 

arrayed against each other. Nor can it be a matter of wonder 
that men of wisdom and foresight should have opposed resistance 
to the power of Britain ; so unequal was the contest and, in human 
view, so very itnprobable the attainment of any permanent 
good on the part of our infant colonies. But the ways of Provi- 
dence are not as our ways; the result exceeded the most san- 
guine expectations of the friends of the Revolution; the God of 
Heaven went forth with our armies and the victory was on our 
side. Never was there a contest between nations in the decision 
and determination of which the overruling hand of God was 
more manifest; and the patriots of that day were led to feel 
that deliverance from the overwhelming power of Britain could 
alone proceed from the Power that ruleth the nations. Hence 
they looked to Heaven, and fasted, and prayed for help from 
above; nor did they pray in vain. In July, 1777, in legal town 
meeting, it was voted that "this town will do all that lies in their 
power to suppress vice, and especially that they will use their 
endeavors to prevent profane cursing and swearing, that the 
name of God be not blasphemed among them." 

ADOPTION OF A STATE CONSTITUTION 

The question whether this Commonwealth should form for 
itself a constitution in consonance with the national compact 
already signed and adopted, became the subject of general dis- 
cussion. In August, 1779, Capt. Benjamin Phillips and Capt. 
Samuel Bartlett were chosen delegates to attend a convention 
about to be held at Cambridge for the purpose of forming a con- 
stitution for the Commonwealth. These gentlemen were in- 
structed by the town, among other things, to use their endeavors 
that an article be inserted in said constitution, "that each 
Representative, previous to his belonging to General Court, 
shall be solemnly sworn not to pass any acts or laws where his 
constituents shall be in any sense, name or nature, oppressed 
or forced in matters of religion." On this subject a portion of 
the people of this town felt peculiarly sensitive, for reasons 
which will hereafter be noticed. 

In the following year came up the important question re- 
specting the adoption of the constitution prepared b}^ the afore- 



Dr. Shepard's Historical Sketch 29 

said convention and sent out by them for the approval of the 
people. In open town meeting this constitution was taken up, 
debated and acted upon, article by article. The result was, that 
while many of its provisions were approved by a majority of the 
town, others were rejected. The third article in the Bill of 
Rights, which proposed that the preaching of the Gospel should 
be supported by taxation, was rejected, on the ground that it 
was "unconstitutional to human nature and nothing in the 
word of God to support it.'' The article specifying the appoint- 
ment of the judges of the Supreme Court by the Executive was 
rejected, and a substitute proposed, viz: that they should be 
elected annually by the Legislature. The article constituting 
the Senate an essential part of the Legislature was rejected, on 
the ground that such a distinct body was unnecessary. Those 
articles specifying the pecuniary qualifications of the different 
officers of government, and of voters in town meeting, were 
rejected by a majority of the votes of this town. An amend- 
ment was proposed that Justices of the Peace, instead of being 
appointed by the Governor, should be elected by ballot annually, 
in legal town meeting, and commissioned by the Governor. It 
was also proposed that town clerks be the acknowledgers and 
registers of deeds, and that the Probate office be lodged in the 
hands of the Selectmen, and the Town Clerk be ex officio Clerk 
of Probate. 

These transactions are referred to for the purpose of exhibit- 
ing the views of our fathers respecting the science of civil gov- 
ernment. While it was happy for our Commonwealth that most 
of the alterations here proposed did not prevail, it is worthy of 
notice that the views expressed in relation to the Bill of Rights 
on the prevailing views of the Commonwealth at the present 
day, and after the lapse of half a century, have effected an essen- 
tial alteration of this article in the constitution. 

In the order of chronology it may be proper here to notice an 
incident which occurred here in 178L During this year the 
north part of this town was infested with a company of vagrant 
religious fanatics called "Tremblers." Such extravagance and 
disorder and indecencv were exhibited bv them in their inter- 



30 History of Ashfield 

course with the inhabitants, and especially in the acts of wor- 
ship, that the people living in the vicinity where they located 
themselves became very seriously annoyed and presented them 
to the authorities of the town as a public nuisance. Whereupon 
it was voted in legal town meeting that "the Selectmen be re- 
quested to warn said straggling Tremblers now in town, and 
those that shall come in hereafter, to depart in twent}'-four hours 
or expect trouble." 

PECUNIARY EMBARRASSMENT SHAYS' INSURRECTION 

In 1782 the pecuniar}-' pressure became ver}^ severe upon the 
inhabitants of this town and the community in general. The 
enfeebled and partially organized condition of the General 
Government rendered it necessary for individual States to make 
great efforts to maintain their credit and meet the demands 
which the progress of the war was constantly bringing upon 
them. Massachusetts felt under the necessity of levying a heavy 
tax upon the people. The result was murmurings and insub- 
ordination from every quarter. The people of this town voted 
not to collect the portion of the State tax assigned to them, and 
to recommend to their militia officers to resign their coinmis- 
sions. They drew up and signed a covenant for their mutual 
defense and sent out a committee to inform the neighboring 
towns of their doings. Other towns were excited to similar 
measures of resistance from similar causes. Taxes were heavy 
and money scarce; county conventions began to be held, and 
one event after another transpired until Shays' rebellion broke 
out, in 1786. Such were the embarrassments of the times that 
the people not only resisted the taxes of government, but the 
demands of common creditors. The regular sittings of the 
courts at Northampton, Worcester and Taunton were ob- 
structed by the people convening in tumultuous assemblies. 
Thousands of our citizens in dififerent parts of the Common- 
wealth were arrayed in rebellion against a government which 
they had just established at the expense of great toil and much 
blood. A majority of the people of this town joined in the com- 
mon panic and took sides with the insurgents. By consent of a 



Dr. Shepard's Historical Sketch 31 

majority of the Selectmen the inagazine of the town was given 
into the hands of the rebels, and a militia officer and a company 
of soldiers volunteered their services and marched off to their 
assistance. But the same Almighty Hand that sustained our 
countr}" during her contest with the hosts of England, carried 
her safely through these scenes of civil commotion, and caused 
them all to work together for good, to her future peace and 
permanency. With a few conflicts, and the loss of a few lives, 
the insurrection was quelled; the people, after further reflec- 
tion, became satisfied that their embarrassments were occa- 
sioned rather by the necessary expenditures of the Revolution 
than by any defect in the goveminent itself or the manner of 
its administration. 

ADOPTION OF THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION 

The coinmotions narrated above convinced the people of New 
England that some stronger bond of union between the States, 
for their mutual protection, was necessary. Accordingly, a 
convention was called at Boston in 1787 for the purpose of con- 
sulting upon the adoption of the confederated constitution pro- 
posed by the Congress of the United States. Accordingly, 
Ephraim Williams, Esq., was chosen to represent this town in 
said convention, and instructed "to use his influence that said 
constitution doth not take place." But, notwithstanding the 
views of the good people of this town, said constitution did take 
place, and for nearly fifty years the people of this town, in com- 
mon \vith their fellow-citizens throughout the Union, have re- 
joiced in the many blessings which it has imparted. 

ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY 

It has been remarked that the original proprietors of this towoi 
took early measures to supply the first settlers with Gospel 
ordinances. In the original grant of the Soldiers' Rights two 
of them were reserved for the support of a learned and orthodox 
ministry; and in 1751 a sum of money was raised by the pro- 
prietors to supply the settlement with preaching. Rev. Mr. 
Dickinson, a Congregational minister from Hadley, was the 
first emplo}-ed to preach in the settlement. Afterward they 



32 History of Ashfield 

were favored with the labors of Rev. Mr. Streeter. Their meet- 
ings were held in the dwelling of Deacon Ebenezer Belding, 
which stood on the same ground now occupied by a house on 
the opposite side of the way from Dimick Ellis, Esq. [Now 
(1864) Mr. Bardwell's— H. S. R.] Mr. Joshua Hall now (1887) 
owns and lives on this fami. 

The first regular church formed in the town was of the Bap- 
tist denomination. It was constituted July, 1761, consisting of 
nine members. In the following August Rev. Ebenezer Smith, 
the eldest son of Chileab Smith, was ordained its pastor. In 
May, 1768, Nathan Chapin and seventeen others sent in a peti- 
tion to General Court setting forth that they belonged to the 
persuasion called Anabaptists, and praying to be exempted 
from the taxation for the support of the Congregational min- 
istry. This petition, after repeated and persevering efforts, 
during which the petitioners were subjected to many trying 
scenes, was at last granted. It is to be regretted that there 
should ever have been occasion, in this land of enlightened 
liberty, for such a petition as this. Nothing would seem to be 
more reasonable than that any religious denomination demean- 
ing themselves as peaceable members of society, should enjoy 
free toleration in the exclusive maintenance of their own order. 
Our fathers fled hither that they might enjoy liberty of con- 
science in matters of religion. But it must be remembered, by 
way of apology for any seeming inconsistency in their legisla- 
tive acts, that for a long while after the settlement of Plymouth 
the people of this land were very generally of one and the same 
denomination; hence their laws had respect to this particular 
denomination alone; and when in the process of events other 
sects sprang up, they were not so careful, perhaps, as enlight- 
ened Christian charity would have dictated, in so modifying 
their statutes as to give equal toleration to all who might con- 
scientiously differ from them. Hence, in the tardy revision of 
the laws to meet the exigencies of the times, there were, without 
doubt, insulated cases of what would now be universally pro- 
nounced religious intolerance and oppression. But those were 
days when free toleration in the things of religion were but 



Dr. Shepard's Historical Sketch _ 33 

imperfectly understood. The progress of nearly a century has 
thrown much light on this subject; we have occasion to thank 
God that we have fallen on better times. Let not the errors of 
those years of comparative darkness, long since gone by, be 
revived and handed down as a matter of reproach or recrimina- 
tion between Christian brethren differing only in modes, and all 
enjoying, to their full satisfaction, liberty of conscience and 
equal toleration. For a long number of years the kindest feel- 
ings have been entertained between the Baptist and Congrega- 
tional churches in this town. 

In 1798, after a ministry of thirty-seven years in this town, 
Elder Smith was dismissed from his pastoral charge in good 
standing. He soon after removed to the western part of New 
York, where he continued to labor in different places until he 
reached the age of 89. He died at Sjtockton, in the County of 
Chautauqua, N. Y. Mr. Smith, though not favored with early 
opportunities for a systematic education, is represented to have 
been a man of strong native powers of mind, thoroughly ortho- 
dox in sentiment, and an acceptable preacher. 

January 14, 1798, Elder Enos Smith, the youngest son of 
Chileab Smith, and brother of the former minister, was ordained 
pastor of this church, and still continues in this relation, having 
now reached the 85th year of his age and 36th of his ministry. 

In 1800 this society, embracing a portion of the southeastern 
section of Buckland, obtained an act of incorporation. This 
church has, at different periods, experienced seasons of refresh- 
ing from the presence of the Lord. This was particularly the 
fact during the winter of 1831, when considerable additions were 
made to their communion. The exact number of communicants 
now belonging to this church I am not able to state. In the 
spring of 1831 it was one hundred and six. Their first house of 
worship stood about fifty rods north of Mr. Chileab Smith's. 
About two years since the society erected a new and convenient 
meetinghouse, about one-half of a mile to the east of this spot. 

This society, if not the oldest, is certainly among the oldest, 
of the Baptist denomination in the western section of Massa- 



34 History of Ashfield 

chusetts. It has always occupied ground peculiarly its own, 
having never interfered with that preoccupied by others. Its 
church is venerable for its age ; many in it have been raised up 
for the Kingdom of Heaven. It is entitled to and, I doubt not, 
it receives, the prayers of the people of God of every name 
around it, for its peace and prosperity. 

December 22, 1762, the Proprietors gave a call to Mr. Jacob 
Sherwin to settle with them in the work of the Gospel ministry. 
February 22, 1763, a Congregational church consisting of fifteen 
members was fonned by an ecclesiastical council convened for 
the purpose, and on the following day Mr. Sherwin was, by the 
same council, ordained its pastor. The Articles of Faith and 
Covenant prepared by this council were consented to and signed 
by the following persons : Jacob Sherwin, Thomas Phillips, Nathan 
Waite, Ebenezer Belding, Timothy Leuds and Joseph Mitchell. 

Mr. Sherwin's ministry in this place continued a little more 
than eleven years and two months. Difficulties arising between 
him and his people, he was finally dismissed by an ecclesiastical 
council and recommended to the confidence of the churches. 
During the ministry of Mr. S. eighty persons were added to this 
church, including those who became members at the time of its 
constitution. Forty-nine of these were admitted by profession 
and thirty-one by letters of recommendation from sister churches. 
The ordinance of baptism was administered to one hundred and 
nineteen persons. 

Mr. Sherwin was born in Hebron, Conn., and was graduated 
at Yale College in 1759. After his dismission from his pastoral 
charge he continued to reside in the town, became a Justice of 
the Peace, the first that was honored with this commission in 
the place, was elected clerk of the town for a number of years, 
and also clerk of the proprietors, and occasionally officiated as 
one of the Selectmen. Afterward he resumed the active duties 
of the ministry, removed to Shaftesbury, Vt., where he was in- 
stalled and, as far as it appears, continued his labors until his 
decease. 

December 22, 1774, Rev. Nehemiah Porter was installed 
pastor of this church and continued in this relation until his 



Dr. Shepard's Historical vSketch 35 

decease, February 29, 1820, aged 99 years and 11 months. Dur- 
ing Mr. Porter's active labors, until the settlement of his first 
colleague, it being about thirty-five years and a half, 334 per- 
sons were admitted to the church — 240 by profession and 94 bv 
letter. Eight hundred and fifty received the ordinance of 
baptism. During Mr. Porter's ministry the church enjoyed 
several seasons of religious revival. In 1780 — a year distin- 
guished in the annals of New England for the extraordinarv 
outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the churches — there were 
numbers gathered into the Church of Christ in this place; but 
more particularly in 1797-8, during which season of precious 
interest upwards of eighty were added to the Congregational 
Church. 

Rev. Mr. Porter was born in Ipswich, in this State, in 1720, 
just about one century from the landing of the Pilgrims on 
Plymouth Rock, and lived to witness the mighty events that 
signalized the revolution of almost an entire century from that 
memorable period. He was graduated at Cambridge College 
in 1745, and studied divinity with Prof. Wigglesworth, of that 
institution. He was first settled at Chebosco, now Essex, in 
the County of Essex. After his dismission from that place he 
removed with his family into the British Dominions, in New 
Brunswick, where he labored for a number of years in the char- 
acter of a missionary. From thence he came into this region 
and was finally installed over this people in 1774. 

Mr. Porter was a man of active, energetic and commanding 
powers of mind. He was favored with a vigorous constitution 
and an uncommon strength and fullness of voice. His religious 
sentiments were those of the Reformation, and his style of 
preaching, though somewhat redundant — a. characteristic of 
the age — was, nevertheless, energetic and impressive. During 
the War of the Revolution, his support in a great measure fail- 
ing, in consequence of the severe pressure of the times, he ob- 
tained permission to join the army on the Hudson River, in the 
capacity of chaplain. — He was there during the conflict with 
Burgoyne and the capture of the British army. That event, so 
propitious to the American anus, he was wont to say was not 



36 History of Ashfield 

the result of human might or power, but by the ann of Jehovah 
of Hosts. During the heat of the battle which decided the fate 
of Burgoyne's army Mr. Porter, being with a reserve of men at 
a little distance from the scene of action, obtained permission 
of the officer to retire, with as many as were disposed, to a 
secluded spot at a little distance, for the purpose of prayer; and, 
while in the full hearing of the tremendous onset they were there 
calling upon the God of Armies to interpose with His mighty 
arm in behalf of the cause of liberty and religion, the noise of the 
battle died away and the victory of our arms was decisive. 
Perhaps there never was a contest since miraculous powers 
ceased, where the interposition of Heaven was more conspicu- 
ous, than in that which resulted in the independence of these 
United States. 

Mr. Porter lived far beyond the common lot of men. He did 
not wholly cease from the labors of the 'ministry until he was 
over ninety years of age; and, indeed, until the last month of 
his life he was able to conduct the devotions of the family and 
to converse to the religious edification of his friends. With 
long life he was satisfied. He came to his grave in full age. He 
was gathered to his fathers like a shock of corn fully ripe in its 
season. 

[Rev. Mr. Porter entered the pulpit of his church, and 
took part in the service, when in the 100th year of his age. He 
was taken from his house and seated on a chair placed on a 
"stone boat," was conveyed to the meetinghouse. Mr. Porter, 
the present (1887) proprietor of the Ashfield Hotel, on the 
Plain, is a descendent of his]. 

Rev. Alvan Sanderson was installed colleague pastor with Rev. 
Mr. Porter, June 22, 1808, and was dismissed at his own request, 
on account of declining health January 3, 1816, after an active 
and successful ministry of seven years and six months. During 
this period sixty were added to the church — forty-one by pro- 
fession, nineteen by letter; number of baptisms, seventy-four. 
Mr. Sanderson was born in Deerfield and graduated at Williams 
College. Although his public ministry was short, yet it proved 
a rich blessing to the people of his charge. His talents were of 
the active kind, and, though he did not excel as a preacher, he 



Dr. Shepard's Historical Sketch 37 

was peculiarly qualified to do good as a pastor in his daily inter- 
course with all classes. His labors were, emphatically, in season 
and out of season. In the literary, moral and religious educa- 
tion of the young he took a lively interest, and to promote this 
he labored incessantly. The burden of duties which he took 
upon himself impaired his health, and the fatal blow was struck 
by an attempt to fill with his voice the illy-constructed house of 
worship recently erected by his congregation. The effort to be 
heard in its high pulpit, and from beneath elevated ceiling, pro- 
duced a hemorrhage of the lungs and brought on a gradual 
decline. In the meridian of life his sun went down. By the last 
acts of his life Mr. Sanderson more fully developed the influence 
of that charity which seeketh not her own, over his own heart. 
Having no family of his own to provide for, the most of the 
property which he had acquired by his industry and habits of 
economy he bequeathed to purposes of public learning and reli- 
gion. The cause of foreign and domestic missions shared each 
a distinct legacy in his wll. To the society over which he had 
been settled he made a generous donation as a permanent fund 
for the support of the ministry; and, lastly, the academy which 
bears his name was originated and endowed, in his earnest desire 
to do all in his power to improve the minds and hearts of the 
rising generation in learning and piety. He fell asleep in Jesus 
June 22, 1817, in the thirty-seventh year of his age. The 
memory of the just is blessed. The name of Alvan Sanderson 
will long be held in grateful remembrance by many surviving 
members of his beloved flock. 

After the dismission of Mr. Sanderson the society continued 
destitute of a pastor for more than three years. During this 
period it was greatly affiicted with dissensions — the trying 
question who should be its next minister had well nigh broken 
down its energies and prostrated its ability to sustain the ordi- 
nances of the Gospel. And yet, even in these troublous times, 
the Lord did not forget his covenant people. During this season 
of destitution a revival took place which brought twenty into 
the fold of the Redeemer. 

The writer of these sketches was ordained colleague pastor 



38 History of Ashfield 

with Rev. Mr. Porter, over this church and society, June 19, 
1819, and continued in this relation with inutual harmon}' and 
confidence until May, 1833, when, in consequence of feeble 
health and the hope of being more useftd in a more active sphere 
of ministerial labor, he was, at his own request, and by the kind 
concurrence of his people, dismissed by a mutual council. He 
was bom in Norton and graduated at Brown University in 1813. 
During his ministry in this place, which continued nearly four- 
teen years, three seasons of special revival were enjoyed. The 
first was during the winter of 1821-2, when upwards of eighty 
were added to the church; the second was in the winter of 
1829-30, when about the same number was added; the third 
was in the autumn, when about thirty -five were gathered into 
the visible fold of Christ. During the whole of his ministry the 
number of admissions has been 274, all but thirty-two of which 
have been by profession. The number of baptisms during the 
same time were three hundred and five. From the origin of the 
Congregational Church until the time of the writer's dismission, 
it being a little more than seventy years, 766 have been admitted 
to its communion and the ordinance of baptism administered 
to 1,405 persons. The number of living members at the above 
date, in regular standing, was 290, of whom 104 were males and 
186 females. 

In May, 1833, Rev. Mason Grosvenor was installed pastor 
of this church and society. Mr. Grosvenor was bom in Pomfret, 
Conn., and graduated at Yale College. Since the settlement of 
Mr. G. some additions have been made to the church. May the 
Holy Spirit continue to descend upon it as rain upon the mown 
grass, and many be added unto it from time to time, of such as 
shall be saved. 

The following brethren have officiated as deacons in this 
church in the order in which their names are recorded, viz: 
Ebenezer Belding, Joshua Sherwin, John Bement, Jonathan 
Taylor, John Porter, Enos Smith, Elijah Paine, Samuel Bement, 
Daniel Williams, Jared Bement. Deacons Paine, Williams and 
Jared Bement are still in office. 

The first Congregational house of worship was built by the 



Dr. Shepard's Historical Sketch 39 

Proprietors. The frame was set up on the hill west of the dwell- 
ing of Dimick Ellis, Esq., but before it was covered it was taken 
down and set up on the southwest corner of the old burying 
ground on the plain. The removal took place in 1767. The 
present house of worship was raised Jul}^, 1812, and occupied 
by the congregation in the autumn of 1813. May the glory of 
this latter house be greater than that of the former. 

In 1814 a second Baptist society was formed in this town, and 
a meetinghouse built on what is called the Flat, about one mile 
east of the Congregational Church. For a number of years 
Elder Loummus officiated as the minister of this society. In 
1820 Mr. L. removed into the State of New York. Since then 
the}' have had the occasional labors of Rev. Orra Martin, from 
Bristol, Conn., who resides in the town. This society shared in 
the revival of 1829-30, when a church was organized with 
twenty-seven members. Their present number, probably, does 
not vary much from what it was then. 

In 1820 an Episcopal society was formed in this town, and 
in 1829 a neat and commodious house erected and consecrated 
by the Bishop, by the name of St. John's Church. The society 
has been supplied at different times by the labors of Rev. Titus 
Strong, Rev. Lot Jones, Rev. William Withington, Rev. Mr. 
Humphrey, and Rev. Silas Blaisdale, who now resides with 
them. Their number of communicants in 1831 was about 
thirty. Their number has probably increased since, but how 
many I have not the means of knowing. 

During the four or five years past the Methodists have estab- 
lished a place of worship, near the southeast comer of the town, 
and their circuit preachers occasionally officiate in other parts 
of the town. They shared in the revival of 1830. Their number 
of regular communicants I have no means of ascertaining. 

Each of these religious societies sustains a Sabbath school, 
through a part or all of the year, and has a library for the use 
of its scholars; that belonging to the Congregational Society 
contains rising of 500 bound volumes. Among these different 
denominations, iningled together throughout the town, a good 



40 History of Ashfield 

degree of hannony prevails. May the language of Abraham 
and Lot ever be theirs: "Let there be no strife between me and 
thee, for we be brethren." 

EDUCATION 

The General Court, as we have before noticed, in their original 
grant to the proprietors, made express provision for the main- 
tenance of common schools by reserving one right for this object. 
In the wisdom of our fathers the cause of education — one of the 
main pillars of a republican government — was not to be over- 
looked in the early settlement of the country. The annual in- 
come of the school lands is a little rising of one hundred dollars. 
To this an annual tax of about six hundred dollars is added, and 
expended in thirteen districts, according to the number of 
scholars in each. The whole sum thus expended averages about 
one dollar annually to each scholar. The quantity of instruc- 
tion in each district varies according to the number of scholars ; 
taken together it will average about six months to each district. 
Although the standard of common education is not what it 
ought to be, and what it might be, in this town, yet it has much 
improved during the last ten years, and is not now inferior, it is 
believed, to what it is in other towns similarly situated in the 
Commorr wealth. The occasional establishment of select schools 
in the vicinity, and particularly those sustained by Miss Mary 
Lyon, now of Ipswich, has done much to qualify teachers for 
the more successful management of district schools. 

After Rev. Mr. Sanderson had resigned the duties of the 
ministry, his health remaining feeble, he prepared a building, 
one-half at his own expense, and in the spring of 1816 opened 
a school for the instruction of youth of both sexes in the higher 
branches of a useful education. Though soon interrupted in 
his personal labors, yet at his decease he laid the foundation for 
a continued seminary for the promotion of learning, morality 
and religion in the rising generation. In 1821 an act of incor- 
poration was obtained under the name of Sanderson Academy, 
and in the autumn of the same year it went into permanent 
operation under the care of Mr. Abijah Cross, a graduate of 



Dr. Shepard's Historical Sketch 41 

Dartmouth College. After Mr. C, followed successively in the 
labor of instruction, Messrs. A. Converse and S. W. Clark, from 
Dartmouth College; Messrs. B. B. Edwards, H. Flagg and R. 
C. Coffin, of Amherst College, and Rev. Silas Blaisdale. For a 
number of years past, in consequence of the deficiency of its 
funds, but more especially the want of the united patronage of 
the inhabitants of the town, it has almost wholly ceased its 
operation. It is melancholy to contemplate an institution 
founded in the prayers and charities of a man of God, going to 
disuse and decay in the midst of a population greatly needing 
its advantages, merely for the want of a little harmonious foster- 
ing care. 

A social library containing about 175 well selected volumes, 
and yearly increased by an annual tax of fifty cents upon each 
share, has been in operation since 1815. During the continuance 
of the academy a debating society", and afterwards a lyceum, 
were productive of much interest and profit to the young people 
of the village. 

TEMPERANCE 

The inhabitants of this town, in common with their fellow- 
citizens located in a region of fruit and distilleries, have suffered 
much from the scourge of intemperance. For years the wave 
of liquid fire rolled over those hills and valleys, carrying disease 
and poverty and death in its trail, with scarcely an obstacle to 
\^dthstand its course. Many of the distilleries, first set up for 
the distillation of mint, by a little additional expense of vats 
could be employed for a part of the year in distilling cider. It 
is believed that for a number of years there were as many as 
eight or ten of these magazines of destruction in operation in 
the town. It was almost as much a matter of course for the 
farmer to take his cider to the still and take home his stock of 
brandy for family use, as it was for him to carry his grain to the 
mill and furnish the staff of life for his household. But the times 
are changed — the Spirit of the Lord has lifted up a standard 

against the enemy of all righteousness. In the spring of [b, 

society was formed on the principle of total abstinence, con- 
sisting at first of twelve members. Many sober men were at 



42 History of Ashfield 

first in doubt whether it was not pressing the cause too far; 
farmers were people that they could not hire their labor without 
the use of ardent spirits. But on further consideration their 
difficulties vanished one after another; the members of the 
society increased rapidly, until in the course of a few months 
rising of 600 names were found in the temperance constitution. 
The enemies of the cause were alarmed; they made every effort 
in their power to stay the work of reform; a strong union be- 
tween the lovers of strong drink, the lovers of the gain of it, and 
the lovers of office, was fonned, and showed itself at the polls 
and wherever any attack could be made upon the friends of 
temperance. But still the good cause could not be put down; 
opposition only served to strike its roots deeper into the hearts 
of its friends ; an efficient society was formed in the north sec- 
tion of the town, whose fruits were soon manifest in the work of 
reform. The friends of temperance of different religious denom- 
inations go hand in hand in the cause; and, although one or 
two distilleries, and a few retailing stores and some temperate 
drinkers stand in the way, yet a purifying process is in progress 
which will not stop until the whole town and region is reclaimed 
from the cruel grasp of this common enemy of God and of man. 

"Fly swift around, ye wheels of time, 
And bring the welcome day." 

PROFESSIONAL MEN 

■ The following persons, originally inhabitants of this town, 
have been educated at college, viz: Rev. Preserved Smith, 
graduated at Brown University and settled in the ministry in 
Rowe; Rev. Freeman Sears, Williams College, settled in Natick 
and deceased in 1812; Rev. Samuel Parker, Williams College, 
residing in the State of New York; Frederick Howes, Esq., 
Cambridge College, attorney at law in Salem; Francis Bassett, 
Esq., Cambridge College, attorney at law in Boston; Rev. 
Elijah Paine, Jr., Amherst College, formerly settled in Clare- 
mont, N. H.; Rev, William P. Paine, Amherst College, settled 
in Holden; Rev. Charles Porter, Amherst College, settled in 
Gloucester; Rev. Morris White, Dartmouth College, settled 



Dr. Shepard's Historical Sketch 43 

in Southampton; Rev. William Bement, Dartmouth College, 
settled in Easthampton; Leonard Bement, Esq.,* Union Col- 
lege, attorney at law, Albany, N. Y.; Francis Gillett, Yale 
College, attorney at law in Ohio; Rev. John Alden, Jr., Am- 
herst College, principal of Franklin Manual Labor School in 
Shelburn; Mr. Adell Harvey, Amherst College, student in 
Divinity; Rev. Anson Dyer, not publicly educated, laboring 
as an evangelist. Several young men are now in the process of 
a public education. 

Hon. Elijah Paine, a native of Hatfield, has been the only 
attorney at law which has settled in this town until very re- 
cently. Mr. Paine has been a member of the Senate of this 
Commonwealth and the Chief Justice of the Court of Session 
in this county until the time of its dissolution. David Aiken, 
Esq., has recently opened an office as attorney at law in this 
town. 

The following regular authorized physicians have resided in 
this town in the order in which their names occur: Moses 
Hayden, Phineas Bartlet, Francis Mantor, David Dickinson, 
afterwards settled in the ministry in Plainfield, N. H.; Hon. 
Enos Smith, a graduate of Dartmouth College, once a member 
of the Senate from Franklin County, now living in Granby; 
Rivera Nash, Green Holloway, Lee, Atherton Clark, now living 
in Cummington; William Hamilton, now in Providence, R. L; 
Jared Bement, a native of this town; Charles Knowlton. The 
last two are now practising physicians in the town. 

COUNTY AND TOWN OFFICERS 

The following gentlemen have been commissioned Justices 
of the Peace while residing in this town, viz: Jacob Sherwin, 
Philip Phillips, Ephraim Williams, Elijah Paine, Enos Smith, 
Henry Bassett, Thomas White, Levi Cook, Dimick Ellis, James 
McFarland, Russell Bement, Chester Sanderson. 

The following gentlemen have represented this town in the 
Legislature of the Commonwealth, viz: Capt. Elisha Cranston, 

*Judge Bement removed to Grand Rapids, Mich., about 1850, where he 
died twenty to twenty-five years later. He was a highly respected man. 



44 History of Ashfield 

Dea. Jonathan Taylor, Benjamin Rogers, Chileab Smith, Wm. 
Williams, Esq., Philip Phillips, Esq., Ephraim Williams, Esq., 
Hon. Elijah Paine, Henry Bassett, Esq., Thomas White, Esq., 
Hon. Enos Smith, Capt. Bethuel Lilley, Levi Cook, Esq., 
Dimick Ellis, Esq., Capt. Roswell Ranney, Dea. Samuel 
Bement, Chester Sanderson, Esq., Jonathan Sears, Seth Church, 
Anson Bement. 

The following persons have served as Town Clerks, viz: 
Samuel Belding, Benjamin Phillips, Jacob Sherwin, Esq., Dr. 
Phineas Bartlet, Dr. Francis Mantor, Levi Cook, Esq., Hon. 
E. Paine, Capt. Selah Norton, Henry Bassett, Esq., Lewis Wil- 
liams, Hon. Enos Smith, Dimick Ellis, Esq., James McFarland, 
Esq., Russell Bement, Esq., Wait Bement. 

The following gentlemen have served as Town Treasurers, 
viz: Benjamin Phillips, David Alden, Dr. Phineas Bartlet, 
Warren Green, Jr., Ephraim Williams, Esq., Levi Cook, Esq., 
Hon. E. Paine, Charles Williams, Henry Bassett, Esq., Chester 
Sanderson, Esq. 

The follo\A'ing gentlemen have served as Selectmen, viz: 
Ebenezer Belding, Reuben Ellis, Nathan Chapin, Philip Phillips, 
Esq., Moses Fuller, Chileab Smith, Thomas Phillips, Samuel 
Belding, Dea. Jonathan Taylor, Aaron Lyon, Samuel Allen, 
Timothy Lewis, Isaac Shepard, Capt. Joshua Taylor, Peter 
Cross, Dr. Bartlet, Jacob Sherwin, Esq., Dea. John Bement, 
Rowland Sears, Warren Green, Jr., Uriah Goodwin, John Sher- 
win, Thomas Stocking, Benjamin Rogers, Chileab Smith, John 
Ellis, Ephraim Williams, Esq., William Flower, Philip Phillips, 
Esq., Capt. John Bennet, Lemuel Spurr, Abner Kelley, Joshua 
Howes, Abiezer Perkins, Hon. E. Paine, Samuel Guilford, 
Ebenezer Smith, John Alden, Thomas White, Esq., Capt. 
Bethuel Lilley, Josiah Drake, Chipman Smith, Nathaniel 
Holmes, Dimick Ellis, Esq., Capt. Roswell Ranney, Jonathan 
Sears, Samuel Eldredge, Simeon Phillips, Sanford Boies, Austin 
Lilley, Seth Church, George Hall, Capt. William Bassett. 

CASUALTY 

In May, 1827, an event occurred near the center of this town 
of too signal importance in its history to be omitted in these 



Dr. Shepard's Historical Sketch 45 

sketches. I refer to the accidental drowning of five persons in 
the Pond west of the Plain. Their names were Dea. David 
Lyon, a worthy man, aged 63, and his son, Aaron, aged 18, 
Arnold Drake, aged 28, and two sons of Mr. Eli Gray, William 
and Robert, one 15, the other 13. These persons, attended by 
a few others, left their fainilies and friends on a beautiful morn- 
ing in May, to follow their flocks to the place of washing, under 
as fair a prospect of returning at evening as ever they went out 
with in any previous morning in their lives; but, alas! they 
were all borne home lifeless corpses. In a fit of merriment, 
excited by a poisonous stimulant which was then deemed a 
necessary appendage to the washing of sheep, six of the com- 
pany seated themselves in a log canoe, with two sheep, for the 
purpose of a short sail. On reaching deep water, about eight 
or ten yards from the shore, the canoe dipped water, filled and 
went under. Two of the company — the eldest son of Deacon 
Lyon and a boy — with the sheep, sprung for the shore and reached 
it safely; Drake, Lyon and the young Grays immediately sunk 
and disappeared . Dea. Lyon, from the shore seeing his son in 
danger, sprang in to his assistance, but on stepping suddenly from 
shoal to deep water immediately disappeared. It is remarkable 
that not one of them, after sinking the first time, ever rose again 
until their bodies were raised by others. Alann was immedi- 
ately given by those from the bank, the people of the village 
were soon on the spot and measures iminediately set in opera- 
tion to raise their bodies. A young man dove and brought up 
Dea. Lyon, who had been under perhaps fifteen minutes. They 
next succeeded in bringing up Drake, after perhaps thirty 
minutes' iinmersion; next, the body of young Lyon; and last, 
after being under about an hour, were brought up the bodies 
of the young Grays locked in each other's arms. Measures for 
resuscitation were immediately commenced on the shore, and 
prosecuted after they were carried to the house of Mr. Asa 
Sanderson for several hours, but all in vain; the vital spark 
had fled, nor could it be recalled ; not the least sign of reanima- 
tion appeared in either of them. They were ensnared in an evil 
hour. In an unexpected moment their souls were required of 



46 History of Ashfield 

them. After all hope of recovering the drowned persons was 
given up messengers were dispatched to carry the sad tidings 
to the widows, children, parents, brothers and sisters of the 
deceased. Soon the messengers returned, bringing with them 
the widows of Dea. Lyon and Drake, and the daughter of Dea. 
L., who was the stepmother of the young Grays. The affecting 
scenes of that interview may in some faint measure be imagined, 
but not described. On the following day the funeral of these 
five corpses was attended in the presence of a large concourse 
of sympathizing friends and strangers, at the late dwelling of 
Dea. Lyon. An appropriate discourse was preached on the 
occasion by Rev. Mr. Martin, from Eccles. ix. 12, after which 
their remains were deposited in the graveyard by the Baptist 
meetinghouse, in the north part of the town. Who that wit- 
nessed any part of that appalling scene can pass by the banks 
of that secluded pond wdthout recalling fresh to mind the events 
of that melancholy day? And who that ponders upon the events 
of that day can think lightly of the Saviour's exhortation: 
"Watch, therefore, for ye know not the hour when the Son of 
Man Cometh." 

CONCLUSION 

But it is time to l3ring these sketches — alread},% perhaps, too 
far protracted — to a close. Permit me then, my brethren and 
friends, with whom I have been permitted quietly to sojourn 
for a time, in conclusion to say: 

It is now about ninety years since the voice of the civilized 
emigrant first broke upon the silence of this, then lonely, wilder- 
ness. Three generations of men have come up and passed off 
the stage since your fathers came hither. The lofty forests 
which then crowned these hills and valleys have bowed to the 
power and industry of man, and given place to cultivated fields 
and thriving villages. The haunts of wild beasts have been 
supplanted by the abodes of civilized society. You of this gen- 
eration roam securely over your fields, and sleep quietly on 
your beds, where once lurked in ambush the merciless savage, 
and where your fathers toiled by day and lay down at night 



Dr. Shepard's Historical Sketch 47 

with their arms by their side. This goodly heritage, with all 
its civil, literary and religious blessings, purchased by their 
toils, privation and blood, you now enjoy. God forbid that you 
should prove so ungrateful as to despise such a birthright. 
Think not lightly, brethren and friends, of the talents committed 
to your care. Ninety years to coine, and where will most of 
you be? Who will occupy your possessions? Who will dwell 
in your houses, roam over your hills and through your valleys, 
sit in your sanctuaries? Who will break the bread of life to the 
generations who are to come after you, and point the dying 
sinner to the Lamb of God? And what will be the character of 
the history which will fill up the intervening years? These are 
questions of solemn import, and the practical answer must be 
given by you of this generation. God in mercy grant that you 
may so live, and train up your children, and so aid in laying 
broad and deep and strong the foundations of knowledge, 
morality, religion and good government, that future genera- 
tions, as they come to reap the happy fruits of your labors, may 
rise up and call you blessed, as you are permitted to do the mem- 
ory of your fathers, now no more. 

Thomas Shepard. 



CHAPTER I 



BEGINNINGS 



Very few towns have been so fortunate in the preservation 
of their records as Ashfield. 

The earliest records of the Proprietors were begun in 1738. 
These original papers have not been preserved, but two years 
after, in 1740, a record book was purchased and the previous 
records copied into it. A committee chosen for the purpose 
certify in 1743 that "We have Proceeded and Carefully Ex- 
amined and Compared the Said Entries with the Said Minutes 
or Coppys Recorded in the present Proprietors' Book and we 
find the Said Entries Truly and Exactly Recorded." 

William Crane was the first clerk, and after his death Richard 
Faxon was chosen, the new clerk who so faithfully transcribed 
the records. 

The Proprietors' Book purchased in 1740 cost thirty shillings, 
and is now in a fair state of preservation. It was a substantial 
volume bound in sheepskin, size 8 x 123/^ inches and contained 
about 500 pages. The first part of the book, 14G pages, is 
filled with the votes and doings of the Proprietors, and the last 
part with the pages reversed contains 78 pages relating to the 
divisions of lots and their various changes. Some 270 pages 
in the middle of the book remain blank. 

The first entry in the book is a copy of an Act of the Province 
of Massachusetts Bay, passed Dec. 5, 1735, which reads: 

A Petition of Ebenezer Hunt & Others who were Officers & 
Soldiers (or their Descendants) in the Expedition Against 
Canada under the Command of Capt. Ephraim Hunt deced in 
the year 1690, Praying for a Grant of land for a Township in 
consideration of their hardships & Sufferings in the said Ex- 
pedition 

Read & in Answer to this Petition, 

Voted That the prayer thereof be Granted and that [Mr. 
Speaker Quincy, Mr. Adam Gushing] together with such as 
shall be joined by the Hon^'*^ Board be a Com**''' at the Charge 
of the Government, to lay out a Township of the Contents of 



50 History of Ashfield 

Six Miles Square, in Some Suitable place Westward of Deerfield 
in the County of Hampshire, and that they Return a plat 
thereof to this Court within twelve Months for Confirmation; 
and for the More Effectual bringing forward the Settlement of 
the said Newtown. 

Ordered that the said Town be laid out into Sixty three Equal 
Shares, One of which to be for the first Settled Minister, One for 
the Ministry and one for the School, and that on each of the 
other Sixty Shares the pef'^ do within three years froin the 
Confirmation of the plan have Settled one good family who 
shall have a house built on the Homlott of Eighteen feet Square 
and Seven feet Stud at the least and finished, that each Right 
or Grant have Six Acres of Land brought to and plowed or 
brought to English Grass or fitted for mowing, that they Settle 
a Learned Orthodox Minister and build and finish a Convenient 
Meetinghouse for the Publick Worship of God and that each 
Settler give Bond to the Province Treasurer of twenty pounds 
for fulfilling the Conditions of this Grant; provided that in 
Case any of the Lotts are not duly Settled in all Regards as 
aforesaid; then such Lott with the Rights thereof to Revert to 
and be at the disposition of the Province. 

We can see that the conditions imposed on the petitioners 
made their duties very heavy, in requiring so much to be 
accomplished in so short a time. A later Act extended the time 
from three years to five. 

In 1736 the Committee report that there were not sixty men 
in Captain Hunt's company who served as soldiers as named in 
the Grant, but that a portion of them went as mariners, there- 
fore it was ordered that these men be included. The Committee 
appointed to lay out this land having reported, Jan. 19, 1736, 
the Province Acts record 

A Plat of the Township Granted to the Company Under the 
Command of Cap* Ephraim Hunt laid out by Nath' Kellogg 
Survey'' & Chainmen on Oath bounded East on Dearfield West 
bounds on all other sides on Province Lands, Begining at a 
Stake in Stones in Deerfield Westline thence Running North 22 
Deg. East Two Thousand two hundred and forty perch to Deer- 
field River thence; West 17 Deg. North Seventeen hundred 
and Thirty perch then South 32 deg. ; West Twenty one hundred 
and thirty perch then East 22 deg. South Seventeen hundred 
perch to the first Station. 



Beginnings 51 

Read and 

Ordered that the plat be Accepted and the Lands therein 
delineated and described be and hereby are confirmed to the 
officers and soldiers of the Company in the Canada Expedition 
Anno 1690 under the Command of the late Captain Ephraim 
Hunt deceased, and to the Heirs, legal Representatives and 
Descendants of such of them as are Since deceased and to their 
Heirs & assigns respectively for Ever, they fulfilling and per- 
forming the Conditions of the Grant, provided the plat exceeds 
not the quantity of Six Miles square of Land, and does not 
interfere with any former Grant. 

This survey as recorded, must have begun somewhere near 
the present Conway line south of where George Chapin now 
lives then running northerly on the course designated to the 
Deerfield River to a point probably a mile and a half or so below 
Shelburne Falls, then going westerly as described, would take in 
a large share of the present town of Buckland. This survey 
must have been made in a very careless manner, or there was 
some mistake in copying the minutes, as by the survey the last 
line could not reach the starting point by several hundred rods. 
It will be seen later that there was destined to be a good deal of 
trouble over this imperfect survey. The survey recorded in the 
Proprietors' Book is much worse, as there the minutes read, 
"Beginning on Deerfield west line thence North 32 degrees east 
2240 rods to Deerfield river, then west 17 degrees north 1730 
rods, then south 82 degrees west 2130 rods then east 22 degrees 
south 1700 rods to where we begun." The last line would not 
reach the starting point by several miles. 

The record of the first meeting at Weymouth reads in part: 
"A Proprietors Meeting of the Officers and Soldiers under the 
Command of Capt. Ephraim Hunt of Weymouth, Deceased, 
that were In the Expedition to Canada in the year 1690, viz., of 
them or their Legal Representatives &c. A Township laid out 
by Order of the General Court, (Bounding) on Deerfield West 
Line. 
"Upon the thirteenth day of March Anno, Seventeen hundred 
and thirty eight. " 

The same day it was put to "Vote Whether the First Lots Laid 
Out in Said Township Should at the Least be Fifty Acres, and 



52 History of Ashfield 

on the Account of badness of Land the Said Lots Should Extend 
to the Number of Sixty Five Acres According to the Goodness 
or Meanness of the Land in the opinion of the Committee that 
shall be appointed to Lay out the Same and it passed in the 
Affirmative." 

Five men were chosen to lay out "Said Lots and Highways," 
Capt. John Phillips, Capt. Adam Gushing, James Mears, Mr. 
Ephraim Keith and Daniel Owen. It appears that some of the 
committee at least attended to their duties in person for the 
well authenticated story comes down to us that in these early 
days a surveyor by the name of Owen became lost in the woods 
and spent the night on a mountain, hence the name Mt. Owen. 

The Gommittee was also "Empowered to Endeavor the Set- 
tlement of the Line Between the Township and Deerfield, Said 
Gommittee to have twelve vShillings a day for their services. " 

The Gommittee was ' ' Empowered to Lay out so much Land 
for to Set or Build a Meeting House on, for a burying Place and 
for a Training Field as they shall think Proper. " 

No other meeting is recorded until a year after, April, 1739, 
in Weymouth it was "Voted that Any three of the Gom^'''' be a 
Quorum to Act in the Settlement of the Line Betwixt the Town- 
ship and Deerfield, also that a Major Part of the Gommittee 
be a Quorum to lay out the First Lots and Ways to their best 
Discretion. Voted That the Prop''* Meetings for the Time to 
Gome (Until the Pro''" see Gause to Alter it) be at Mr. John 
Hobarts in Braintree and that Meetings be Galled by putting 
Notifications in public print and by posting up Notifications 
in Weymouth Braintree & Stoughton. " 

It will be remembered that in 1690 Gaptain Hunt's company 
was raised in Weymouth and vicinity, and at the date of this 
meeting — nearly fifty years after, most of the descendants of 
this company were probably living in that section. A notice 
was posted June 23, for a meeting to be held July 24, 1739. 
This gave one month's notice of the meeting at which a large 
amount of definite business was done. It was "Voted that the 
Twenty Fourth Lot be for the first Minister, the Fifty first for 
the Ministry and the Fifty Fourth for the School. " The dispute 



Beginnings 53 

on the Deerfield line coming up again, it was voted that the 
Proprietors be at the charge of Defending any part of the Town- 
ship that may be controverted. 

It was voted that "if Any Person Dislike his first Lot Laid 
out in the Plan Described he Shall Have Liberty Within Twelve 
Month's Time from this Da}^ at his Own Cost and Charge to 
Lay Out Fifty Acres of Land in Any of the Undivided Lands in 
proper form and Not farther distant from the Meeting House 
Lot than farthest Lot already Laid Out." The Committee 
that laid out the Lots brought in their account for time and 
expenses in laying out the same, amounting to one hundred and 
thirty pounds, sixteen shillings and eleven pence which was 
Allowed and Accepted. "Voted that Mr. Nathaniel Kellogg 
be appointed at the Cost of the Proprietors to Clear a Way to 
the Township. Voted that there be thirty Pounds paid in 
Equal Proportions by the Propriety to the first man that shall 
build a Sawmill in Said Township Within One Year, And Saw 
for the Proprietors for Twenty Shillings per Thousand for Seven 
years After Said Mill is built." 

The Proprietors then proceeded to draw the lots that had 
been surveyed and laid out by the Committee named. This 
first division of lots was laid out mostly in the northeasterly 
part of the town extending northerly to No Town or what is now 
Buckland line, easterly to near what is now Conway line, 
southerly about one-half mile from what is now the village, and 
the lot farthest west extending westerly from where Allison 
Howes now lives. The plat selected was quite irregular, some 
of the lots projecting much farther than others on the same 
side. These lots were of fifty acres each, mostly laid out one 
hundred and sixty rods long and fifty rods wide, a few irregular, 
and some gores left between lots. As an illustration of the 
manner in which the lots were laid out we give a description of 
Lot No. 1 as recorded. "The Northwest Corner is a Stack 
which stands about 23 Rods South of Bare River where there is 
a Beaver Meadow then so called on Said River from Which 
it Runs South 20 Dg^ West 160 Rods, Thence East 20 Dg^ 
South 50 Rods, Thence North 20 Dg^ East 160 Rods, Thence 



54 History of Ashfield 

West 20 Dg'' North Fifty Rods and Closed; contains Fifty 
Acres, Bounds West on No. 2, East on No. 7, North and South 
on highways of four Rods Wide Each. " 

This lot now would begin near the Center of the mowing lot of 
Wm. H. Gray's "Beaver Meadow farm," then the line would 
run southerly a few rods east of the Gray's buildings as desig- 
nated to a point near the old Squire Phillips cellar hole just 
north of the road some one hundred rods east of the house of 
Harry Eldredge, then easterly fifty rods over Bellows hill to a 
point, then northerly as described, the 160 rods line passing a 
few rods westerly of the Factory Bridge to a point on an old wall 
between the farms of Wm. H. Gray and George B. Church. 
The main street of the village running westerly passes through 
the southerly portion of what were the lots 18, 17 and 51. 

The Proprietors were now about to draw for each one his 
share of the grant which the colony, poor in money, but rich in 
wild lands, had given as a recompense for the services of their 
ancestors. Its value was doubtful, but few if any of the grantees 
had ever seen it. It was more than a hundred miles away, an 
unbroken forest, almost inaccessible by reason of poor roads 
and no roads, and liable to be infested by hostile Indians. Each 
of the Proprietors was to draw not only the 50 acre lot, but 
with it one sixtieth part of the whole township, or about 370 
acres. The drawing was as follows: 

At a Proprietors Meeting July 24 Seventeen hundred & thirty nine (after 
some votes were past) 

Then ye Proprietors Proceeded to Draw their first Lots 
1739 July 24 A List or Record of ye first Lots of ye Original 

Viz their Legal Proprietors of ye Township granted to ye Officers 

Descendents or & Soldiers under ye Command of Capt. Ephraim 

Representatives Hunt of Weymouth in ye Canada Expedition in 

that Enteried alfa the year 1690 viz to them or their legal Repre- 

thofe that Drew sentatives or Descendants &c west of Deerfield 

by Virtue thereoff As Each one drew his first Lot in whose Right 

as appears by the List &c — viz ye former Clerks 
& Mr. Cushings one of ye Courts Committee 

This Collum 1 Lt. John Hunt of &c \ • -^ , ■ „ . ^°- 

Sheweth ye in his Fathers Right / ^'^- Ephraim Hunt 38 

Order of 2 Dea. Thomas White 1 • -n., ttti •, .^^v 

Draughts in his Fathers Right j ^'^ Ebenezer White 20 



Beginnings 



55 



And ye Last 
CoUum at ye 
Right Hand 
vShoweth 
the Number 
of ye Lot drawn 
Against Each 
Mans Name 

Viz ye 
Draughts or 
Order of 
Drawings &c 
As 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 



Viz who 
Draw first 
& so along 



viz Nathaniel Wales 
viz Benja Ludden 
viz Gideon Tuirels 
viz Thomas Faxons 



3 En" Nathaniel Wales 
In his Fathers Right 

4 Benjamin Ludden 
In his Fathers Right 

5 Gideon Turrel 
In his Fathers Right 

6 Richard Faxon 
In his Fathers Right 

7 Lt. William Crane I • tt /^ 
in his Fathers Right / ^'^ "^"'"^ frames 

8 Capt Ebenezer Hunt {?) 
In ye Right of Joseph Nash viz in Jacobs 

9 The Revd Mr Joseph Belcher (sic) 
For viz in his uncle Wm Right 

10 Jonathan Webb for Hew Baly \ 
in ye Right of Saml Baly / 

11 Seth Cliapin 

12 Capt John Phillips for Richard Phillips 

13 Johin Herrick viz Capt Benja \ 
Lowing for his Uncle Jonathan Buckle j 

14 Capt John PhilHps in his own Right 

15 Zachariah Brigs 
In his Fathers Right viz Clement 

16 Capt Ebenezer Hunt for ye Revd Mr Richard 

Pierce 
In Jono Kings Right by vSam" J 

17 Job Otis 

In ye Right of James Otis 

18 Jonath" Daws in his Fathers Right viz Sam" 

19 Heb"" for Josiah Prat in his Fathers Right viz 

Sam" 

20 Richard DavnPort in his own Right 

21 Capt Ezra Whitmarsh in his Brothers Right 

viz John 

22 Solomon Leonard in his Fathers Right viz 

Jacob 

23 James Mears) for Samuel Hollis 
in his Fathers Right viz Thomas 

24 Joseph Good viz for Sam" Bedlow 
In his Fathers Right Vizt 

25 Thomas Bolter in his Fathers Right viz Thomas 

26 Ephraim Emmerson in his Fathers Right 

viz Ephraim viz The Revd Mr Baly & James 
Mears in his 

27 Benjamin Beal in his own 

28 Barnebas Dayly viz Capt Benja 
Lorring for his uncle Solomon Buckle 

29 John Miller viz Capt Benja Lorring 
for his uncle Benjamin Buckle 

30 Josiah Owin in his 

31 Sam ' Thayer in his Fathers Right viz Sam" 
viz The Revd Mr Baly in his 

32 Ephraim viz Thomas Copeland in his Right 

33 James Hayward in his viz Wm 

34 Sam" Gay for his Father John Poole 



16 
19 
43 
59 
15 



23 

21 

25 
13 

62 

6 

53 

30 



10 

30 

1 

1 

45 



26 

27 

4 

14 



52 
29 

22 



28 
48 

12 

8 

34 

61 



56 History of Ashfield 

35 Ebenezer Staples ( 01 
for Isaac Staples viz in his / 

36 Sam" Staples in his Fathers Right viz John 36 

37 John King for his uncle viz in his 58 

38 Mr Sam" Niles for Caleb Littlefield viz in his 
Right 11 

39 James Mears for John Chine viz in his 46 

40 James Mears for Sam" Nightingal in ye Right 

of his 42 

41 Moses Penniman in ye Right of his Uncle 

Joseph 44 

42 Joshua Phillips For his Father Joshua viz in his 

Joseph 56 

43 William Linfield in his Father Wm viz in his 33 

44 Mr Sam" Niles Junr for Ebenezer Vinson in his 

Father Joseph Drakes Right 9 

45 Ebenezer Owen viz Daniel Owen in his Right 40 

46 Sam" Darby in his Fathers Right viz Edward 3 

47 Jonathan Webb for Nathaniel Blancher viz in 

his Right 41 

48 John Bass for his Brother viz Samuel K 47 

49 for Joseph Keith Prat viz in his Right 18 

50 J. French for John Weld viz in his Right 37 

51 Amos Stulson for Isaac Thayer viz in his Right 51 

52 Joseph Drake for Wm Drake viz in his Right 60 

53 Thomas Wells For his Uncle Wm viz in his 

Right 39 

54 Sam" Andrews for his Father Sam" viz in his 

Right 57 

55 John White for Perigrine White viz in his &c 35 

56 Benja Stuart for James viz in his Right 63 

57 Joseph Vickery in his own Right 49 

58 Joseph Lobdle for his Father Josiph viz in his 32 

59 Joseph Milton for his Father viz in his Right 50 

60 John Bartlet for his Father John viz in his 

Right 7 

A true coppy of ye Original Propriet-r 
as Recorded in ye Proprieters Book of 
Recor — Test Jacob Sherwin Prop"'^ Clerk 

Rev. Dr. Shepard says that it docs not appear from the 
records that any of the proprietors ever settled on the land in 
person. The list of those drawing lots shows that at the nine- 
teenth drawing, "Hebcr" for Josiah Pratt drew lot No. 1. 
This Heber was a black man and settled on lot No. 1. The 
location of his cabin can still be seen near a spring in the pasture 
of Levant F. Gray. Joseph Vickery or Victory drew No. 49 
and a number of years after John Victory, probably his son, 
lived on No. 10, the lot adjoining. Victory sold this lot with 
house and bam in 1761. No. 49 was where Richard Ellis the 



4 

Beginnings 57 

first settler lived, now owned by Will Lanfair and No. 10 was 
across the road to the west. Capt. John Phillips drew No. 6 in 
his own right and No. 13 for Richard. Capt. John was an old 
man at this time, but his son Thomas, then 32 years old, settled 
in the new township. Richard Ellis married the daughter of 
Capt. John and settled there a short time previous. Lot No. 6, 
drawn by Capt. John, was owned by his descendants over one 
hundred years. Some of the descendants of Richard and Joshua 
also came here. The Phillipses now in this section are descend- 
ants of Capt. John by Thomas. 

Those who came here did not often settle on the lots drawn 
by their relatives. Probably some made trips to the place and 
if they liked other lots better than their own the}^ could easily 
be bought. Wild lands in the west of the province sold at a low 
price. In 1737 what is now the town of Colrain — then Boston 
No. 2 — was sold for £1320 or about 19 cents an acre. Twenty 
years later by order of the General Court, ten townships were 
sold at auction. Among them Hawley sold for £875, Rowe, 
£380, and other towns accordingly. The previous records have 
shown that the Proprietors had already paid out considerable 
sums for laying out lots and other expenses for the payment of 
which each share was responsible. Under these circumstances 
the property could not have been valued very highly, and most 
of the proprietors were probably glad to barter their right for a 
comparatively small sum, sometimes without the formality of 
giving a deed. The few, however, who had the hardihood and 
enterprise to brave the perils of the wilderness, and who like 
other western pioneers persevered to the end, extended the 
borders of civilization and made for themseh'es and their 
posterity pleasant homes. 

It was no easy journey for the owners of the new lands in the 
western wilds to visit their new possessions. It must be made 
from Braintree and that section either on horseback or on foot. 
Their route lay on the Old Bay Path from Boston to Springfield 
as far as Brookfield, where to shorten the distance they probably 
took the trail from there to Hadley, crossed on the ferry to 
Hatfield, came up the path to Deerfield, then by blazed trees 



58 History of Ashfield 

followed the trail previously made by Nathaniel Kellogg, the 
surveyor, and others up through what is now Conway to the 
new township. Save for a few small grassy meadows they 
found an unbroken forest, no sounds heard after nightfall but 
the cries of wild beasts. The streams were much larger than 
now and the land in the valleys more moist, so that the pros- 
pective settlers looked for places on sandy lands, and on the 
sides of the hills. 

They found but few, if any, traces of Indians. It is very 
doubtful if the Indians ever had local habitations in this section 
as they did in Deerfield and other places on the Connecticut 
River, although they sometimes came up and had camps here 
for hunting, fishing, trapping and other ptirposes. The Indians 
were not as numerous as many suppose. Good authorities 
place the whole number in New England at less than thirty- 
five thousand, or not as many in number as our own county 
now contains and in the whole United States east of the Mis- 
sissippi river, at only two hundred and fifty thousand, not 
half the present population of Boston. It was only in the time 
of the French wars when the French and their Indian allies 
came down from the north or over from the west that there 
was danger from the Indians. But the isolation and loneliness 
of the region can only be imagined. West of them towards 
Albany there were only two or three small settlements of a few 
inhabitants, and the only way of reaching them from the Con- 
necticut Valley was by an Indian trail up the Deerfield Valley 
and over the Hoosac Mountains, or by a rough path from West- 
field through Blandford westward to Stockbridge. 

In the dense forest it must have been very difficult for parties 
to find the lots they were in search of. As a matter of fact they 
did in some cases make their location three-fourths of a mile 
from the lot assigned them. Of course, different proprietors 
would return to the East with different views, but the pro- 
prietors were evidently not discouraged by the reports as a 
whole, for at the ineeting in Braintree vigorous votes were passed 
in aid of immediate settlement. May 28, 1741, it was "voted 



Beginnings 59 

that there shall be £5 paid to each of the ten Proprietors who 
shall first build a House and bring to Six Acres of land. " 

They seemed to feel deeply the need of a sawmill for they 
vote "That £120 be assessed as an encouragement to build a 
Saw Mill." At the next meeting, three months later, it seems 
that the spirit was more for economy for they \^ote "not to 
allow anything more to the first settlers" also "That those who 
build a saw mill do not have liberty to draw anything from the 
treasury and to do nothing farther in the matter of a corn mill. " 

On September 2, 1742, the meeting was held in Hadley and a 
new set of men appear. Nathaniel Kellogg of Hadley was a 
noted surveyor and was the first employed about Huntstown. 
The Hadley historian says of him "He was a skillful surveyor 
but poor in spelling." He was a prominent man in Hadle}^ 
and had evidently interested the people there in the new town- 
ship. 

The May previous Chileab Smith of Hadley bought of John 
Phillips of Easton, lot No. 13 with one sixty-third part of the 
remaining township. It was "voted that Mr. Chileab Smith, 
Nathaniel Kellogg and Richard Ellis be chosen a committee to 
repair the road already laid from Hatfield to Deerfield, to extend 
the said road so far into the Township as the said Committee 
shall think proper at present, also to clear a way from said 
Township to as may be most convenient, if they think proper. " 

The idea of having a sawmill built at once seems to have been 
given up, but it was very desirable to have boards for the 
settlers' houses. It was therefore voted that a good whip saw 
be procured at the expense of the proprietors. Samuel White 
and Job Porter were to have said saw delivered to them by the 
proprietors, and to saw boards for Four pounds per thousand. 
These whip saws had been in use in the new settlements before 
they were able to build a saw mill. It was used in what was 
called a saw pit and was run by two men, one above, the other 
below. The log was first hewed out or squared like a stick of 
timber, then rolled over the pit for the sawyers. Two good 
sawyers could saw a hundred feet a day. Of course, the outside 
boards or planks would be hewed on one side. Carpenters 



60 History of Ashfield 

relate that in tearing down old buildings they find such boards 
or plank. They were found in an old house taken down by Mr. 
Daniel Hall about thirty-five years ago. 

September 2, 1742, the first ineeting of the Proprietors was 
held in Hadley. Nathaniel Kellogg, the surveyor, had evidently 
awakened interest in the new township, for Chileab Smith and 
others from Hadley had already bought lots there, and Richard 
Ellis and Thomas Phillips had moved from Easton to Deerfield 
evidently for the purpose of being near their possessions. 
Richard Ellis and the Phillipses had previously bought lots 
here, all of which were in Baptist Corner or Beldingville. Dr. 
Ellis, in the Ellis genealogy gives the first actual settlement by 
Richard Ellis as in 1745. Dr. Shepard also says that the first 
permanent settlement was made that year. But there is much 
evidence to show that the settlers were active here several 
years before that time, probably clearing up the land and build- 
ing log houses. From the Proprietors' records the corn mill on 
Pond Brook was built in 1743, and in April, 1743, a vote was 
taken to give orders on the Treasurer to pay the minister who 
had already preached there. It is probable that the settlers 
were here during a part of the year while their families remained 
in Deerfield and Hadley. The descendants of Thomas Phillips 
relate how their ancestor used to come up from Deerfield in the 
spring to make maple sugar with a five pail iron kettle, an axe 
and a week's provisions on his back. 

Richard Ellis probably moved his family from Deerfield up 
into his log house which stood a few rods east of where Will 
Lanfair now lives, in the spring of 1745, and his brother-in-law, 
Thomas Phillips, moved into his cabin soon after. The remains 
of this can now be seen with the well near by in the northeast 
part of the pasture now owned by Mr. Jerome Kendrick. 
Chileab Smith of Hadley bought land here as early as 1741 and 
other lots soon after but his name appears on the Hadley records 
as one of the Selectmen until 1747, showing that he did not 
actually settle here until that year. He was, however, on com- 
mittees with Mr. Ellis and Mr. Phillips which must have taken 
much of his time here. Chileab settled about twenty rods 



Beginnings 61 

northerly from where Asa Wait now lives. The Phillips gene- 
alogy records that Phillip Phillips, son of Thomas, was bom in 
Ashfield in February, 1738; this must be a mistake as this date 
was before the division of lands was made. 

Other families moved in soon after. The people of Stafford, 
Conn., evidently were interested in the new township, for Daniel 
Alden and his son, Barnabas, from that town, earh^ bought lands 
here, also the Standishes who settled where Frank Bailey now 
lives; still later the Lillies and Fosters from the same place. 
More Phillipses came from Easton, John and Samuel Nightin- 
gale came from Braintree and settled on Bellows Hill. Eben- 
ezer Belding from Hatfield was here at an early date, living 
where Mr. Joshua Hall lived, also near the present residence of 
Charles Hocum. Heber Honestman and wife, negroes, who 
came up with Thomas Phillips lived on lot No. 1, in the upper 
part of what is now Mr. Levant Gray's pasture. It is said in the 
"Historyof the Town of Easton" that Heber was formerly a slave 
but was given his freedom by his master. Heber joined the 
church in Ashfield in 1763. In some of the old deeds he is called 
Heber Negro. There is a book in the show case in the library 
room of Field Memorial Hall which was owned by Heber, carried 
West by some of the Phillips family, and some years since 
through Mr. Moses Cook was presented to the library. 

David Alden, whose father according to the Alden genealogy 
was cousin to Daniel, early settled on the farm where Jerome 
Kendrick now lives, his house being on the sandy knoll some 
forty rods west of the present dwelling. David was the father 
of John and the ancestor of a numerous posterity in this vicinity. 
These Aldens were the fifth in descent from John Alden of the 
Mayflower. It was a singular coincidence that John Alden and 
Myles Standish were frequently named in the early records, both 
living here at the same time and there were several Priscillas. 
A descendant of the Alden family a few years since on being 
presented with twin boys, named them respectively, John Alden 
and Myles Standish. 

The Proprietors now began to be more in earnest in the matter 
of a sawmill, and at a meeting in Hadley, April 12, 1753, it was 



62 History of Ashfield 

voted to Grant to Nathaniel and William Church, two Hadley 
men, a set of sawmill irons, sixteen acres of land on the north 
side of Bear River, with certain rights and privileges, if they 
would build a sawmill there ^vithin six months. It does not 
appear whether the Churches built the mill, but it was really 
built that season for the next season May 29, 1754, at a meeting 
in Huntstown it was "Voted that all the rights and privileges 
of the sawmill already built and the sixteen acres of land be 
confirmed one-half to Chileab Smith, one-fourth to Eliphalet 
Gary of Bridgewater, and one-fourth to Daniel Alden of Hunts- 
town their heirs and assigns forever. " This mill was built just 
below the present bridge over Bear River, on the road south 
from the house of Church and Broadhurst, where the foundation 
can still be seen, also the remains of the corn mill built some 
rods below. Dr. Shepard's sketch and the Connecticut Valley 
History record that the first sawmill was built near Factory 
Bridge east of Mr. Levant Gray's house. This is an error. By 
the Proprietors' records it is clear that it was built as above 
stated, just below Bear River Bridge.] 



CHAPTER II 

PROGRESS INDIANS WHY ASHFIELD? 

The number of families in 1754 as given by Dr. Shepard is 
eleven, and the number of inhabitants one hundred. There 
were probably some eight or ten log cabins scattered over what 
is now Baptist Corner and Beldingville, and Richard Ellis had 
built a new frame house. The sawmill had just been built, and 
the corn mill was in operation on Pond Brook. A road from 
Deerfield had been cut through and had been laid out by the 
Court of Sessions to the top of "Meeting House Hill" — Bellows 
Hill. They had voted £26 for preaching and £50 for building 
the meetinghouse. Chileab Smith had already organized his 
family Baptist Church, and the Proprietors were about to lay out 
another division of one hundred acre lots. The little colony 
seemed to be in a prosperous condition when the French and 
Indian war again broke out in 1754. 

In the forenoon of June 11, 1755, a party of Indians descended 
upon Charlemont where a few settlers were at work in the 
meadow in front of where the village now is, killed two men and 
carried off two prisoners. The inhabitants in the settlement 
quickly fled to the fort, and the remaining man in the meadow 
eluded the Indians and made quick time to Taylor fort in what 
is now known as East Charlemont. The good settlers in their 
time of trouble remembered their neighbors in Huntstown and 
at once dispatched a messenger to notify the settlers there of 
the proximity of the Indians. Where he crossed the Deerfield 
River, or by what route he traversed the forest of what is now 
Buckland, we know not, but he arrived about four o'clock in the 
afternoon. Dr. Shepard's sketch tells us of the hurried con- 
sultation, the gathering together of movable stores, concealing 
such as they could not carry, and the hasty flight to Deerfield 
that night. The French war was now fully opened and the 
fierce Indian allies were liable to pour in upon them at an}^ time. 
That they were alread}' on the war path, the messenger brought 



64 History of Ashfield 

good evidence. Forts had been built for the protection of the 
settlers in Charlemont and Colrain but the Huntstown settlers 
being a little aside from the main track towards the west had 
deferred building a fort and were therefore without means of 
defense. Corporal Clapp of East Hadley who was sent to 
Huntstown in 1754 with ten men reported that they found no 
fort there, but "we Garded the Inhabitance til we had a Des- 
mishion from them." Although it is not known that any 
Indians visited the settlement that summer, in view of the 
situation the settlers were justified in quickly taking their de- 
parture for Deerfield. It must have been a strange sight as the 
hundred people, men, women and children, wended their way 
through the forest, and asked admission to the Deerfield homes 
in the night. Some of them had relatives and acquaintances 
in Deerfield, others were strangers. Probably the Smiths, the 
next morning, journeyed on to their relatives in Hadley. 

It will be noticed that Dr. Shepard and the Connecticut 
Valley History give this date as 1754, but from the best author- 
ities the Charlemont raid happened one year later, and other 
records show fully that the settlers left in 1755. There are 
different accounts as to the length of time the settlers were ab- 
sent from the settlement. Dr. Shepard and the Connecticut 
Valley History place it as probably two or three years. It is 
clear that the settlers left June 11, 1755. As quoted by Mr. 
Sheldon in his History of Deerfield, Col. Williams, commander 
of the military forces in this section, wrote to Governor 
Shirley under date of March 27, 1756: 

Huntstown people quitted their place last summer for want 
of protection but several families returned and lived there 
through the winter and others will join them if they can have 
help. Encouraged by what they heard from you by their 
messenger thc}^ have begun to fortifie and in a few days will 
have a garrison completed. Before the war they had fitted a 
large area of land for tillage and raised considerable provisions. 
That is gone and they know not where to look for their bread, 
or what method to take for their support and unless soinething 
can be done for them, they must again leave the place. With a 
guard of ten or twelve men they think they may work upon 
their land with tolerable safetv. 



Progress, Indians, Why Ashfield? 65 

But when summer came the inhabitants did not seem to 
stand in so much fear of the Indians but that they thought of 
marrying and giving in marriage. Mr. Sheldon calls it the "first 
Fourth of Juh" celebration in Huntstown when Ebenezer Smith 
with Remember Ellis on a pillion behind him, with his father, 
Chileab, riding in front as a body guard, rode through the 
wilderness to Deerfield, where the two former were united in 
marriage by Parson Ashley. " Mr. Ellis gives the date as July 
1, 1756. This was the first Ashfield marriage. Ebenezer, son of 
Chileab, was twenty-two, and his bride, daughter of Richard, 
was twenty-one. 

The following petition was copied from the original in the old 
Archives at the State House, showing their anxiety for a Guard. 

Huntstown March the 3 1756 
To his Exolency William Sheirley Esq. Governor in and over 
his Magistyes Provence of The Msechusets bay in New england 
and to the Great and General court seting at boston we the 
subscribers being inhabitance of Hunts town so called and your 
faithfull and lawyal subjects do Pray for your help under our 
destresst for circumstances on account of the war we would in- 
form you we came and settled our land according to your 
command and have gone through great hard ship before the 
war by reason of the new inhabitance not coming but sence the 
war we think it is enough to exect the hardest have to hear but 
a hint of our distresses how we have heard once and again that 
the enemy was near upon us even within a few hours travel 
which after words we found to be really over then had we faint 
to flee for our lives (for want of the common defence allowed to 
other fronteers) with our wives and children leiveing our hooses 
as they were casting our household stoof some of it into the 
weeds and bushes to hide from the enemy and so to go to so- 
journ wher we could find a Place and thus have been scattered 
husbands from there wives and children from there Parance in 
this our great distress we went many times to The Hon Con 
Israel William as our father for Protection but he not being 
willing to put the county to charg asourded us no help save 
that he sent a gard of about ten men a few days to help us 
gather part of our crop one time thus have we been for near 
Two years our women and children the most of the time scat- 
tered amongst strangers we that were men many of us after 
going or sending to Mr. Williams for help and could git none was 



66 



History of Ashfield 



forced to come to worck on our Lands without a gard save what 
we inade among ourselves one of us spending a considerable 
time in the woods of hunts town to see if he could see or track 
the enemy. We therefore in great destress do Pray his Exolency 
and your Honers as our fathers to take some pitty on us for we 
flee to you as the last human help we have to go to and grant us 
some Protection as you in your wisdom shall think fit and in so 
doing you will most Oblige your humble and faithfull subjects. 
Richard Ellis Chileab Smith 

Hebor Honestman John Nightingale 

Ebenezer Smith 

Heare is 




hatfield 



Here is 





west abought eight miles is Hunts town 



dearfeild 

Hunts Town July The 3th 1756 
To His Exolency William Sheirley Esqi governor in and over 
his magistyes Province of the macichusits bay in new ingland 
and his Honnorable counsell and to the great and jenoral Court 
that we trust wil shortly sect at booston we the subscribours 
inhabitance of Hunts Town being your faitfuU and now gratly 
destressed subjects do Pray you would have som marcy on us 
and help us in oor distresse we would inform you that notwith- 
standing we had such incourrigment from the govennor and 
Counsell and some of the settlers that new our distresses that 
the request we made to you the last spring for help should be 



Progress, Indians, Why Ashfield? 67 

answered the cort being brooken up before our Petition was 
brought the govenor called a Counsel on our behalf and sent 
their advice to the Hon Col Williams to send us Present help 
yet we have had no help we would in form you we settled here in 
Hunts Town in obedience to your commans and are nesosaryly 
imployed in defence of our country ourselves our wives and 
children our Practis a great Prat of the time sence the wor and 
espisally this sommor hath been to scoute from Hunts Town to 
deirfeild este and west sometimes to clessons river or nere it and 
both pretty well on to deirfeild river and sometimes holly 
(wholly) shut up in the fort save one or too men to scout Some- 
times we work all together and gard ourselves and those we are 
a gard to hatfeild and dearfeild and their viliges to wit a Place 
called roreing brook and a Place called the scars (?) and a Place 
called moody brook and also the Place called the bars and wopin 
(Wapping) all which Places we are a specil gard unto and some 
defince to others also by which means we are grately impover- 
eshed many of us that ware inhabitance are alredy broken up 
and in want of soport by which we are weakened and the Town 
in utmost danger it being given up to the will of our enemies 
we pray therefore that you would have some bowels of pittye 
upon us your distressed subjects and send us some strenth of 
men and put us under the common Pay of the garoson service 
of this Provence from last March and forwards until our services 
shall end we Pray for this your pity and help in grate distress 
and so we remain your faithful and lawal subjects 

Chileab Smith Ebenezer Smith 

Chileab Smith Jr Reuben Ellis 

Moses Smith Heber Honestman 

Richard Ellis Mathew Ellis 

John Ellis 

To his exolency the governor and his Honnorable Counsel and 
The great and Jenoral Cort We the subscribers belonging to 
the neighboring Towns of Huntstown and being Sensoble in 
some mesore of the destressed condition of the people of Hunts 
Town and the great importance of haveing Them incoridged 
and soported in their Town They being situate in the front tear 
of Dearfeild Hatfeild and Hunts town and their scattering 
veligaes which are very deserving on account of the indends and 
answer their request which we think evidently reasonable to 
all that are aquented with their destreesed surcomstances and 
their hard service in defence of themselves and Their contry 
which hath yet bin don upon their one cost without any 
reward from their contry 



68 History of Ashfield 

Note that Chileab Smith son and John Elis are not yet quite 
of age but are good soldyers able bodyed every way able to do 
the work of solders and have don it this sommor being expert 
with guns bey end som that are of full age. 

The Persons that now live in Huntstown are Twenty nine in 
number. The Persons that are scattered away from Huntstown 
for want of Protection are 54. The whole number is eighty 
Three. 

Note, that Three of the subscribers do not now live in Hunts- 
Town by reason of the war but Thare are others that have not 
had opertunity to get thare hands to this paper that we have 
reson to think want protection as much as we. 

Thomas Phillips 

Moses Smith 

Wetherel Wittium 

Reuben Ellis 

Mathew Ellis 

Richard Phillips 

Moses Smith ivn. (jun.) 

In the House of Rep. July 8, 1756 
Read and Noted, That his Hon. the Lieut. Gov. be desired to 
give direction to Col. Israel Williams that he order a suitable 
number of Forces destined to Scout on the Western Frontier 
for ^'^e Protection of the Petitioners and Inhabitants of sd. 
Place as he shall Judge necessary. 

Sent up for concurrence 

T. Hubbard Spkr. 

It does not appear that anything definite was done in answer 
to the petition until April 7, 1757, when a Resolve of the Court 
directs among other fort assignments that "ten men and no 
more including one sergeant" be sent to Huntstown, the pay to 
be four shillings a week and forty pounds paid for every Indian 
scalp. 

Lieut. John Hawks of Deerfield was under Colonel Williams in 
command of the outlying forts north and west of Deerfield. He 
kept a diary of his doings and reports, which has been preserved 
by his descendant Frederick E. Hawks of Greenfield and pre- 
sented by him to the P. V. M. A., at Deerfield. In this Colonel 
Hawks says under date of April 19, " In ye afternoon enlisted 
soldiers for the frontier and staid at Deerfield enlisting and 



Progress, Indians, Why Ashfield? 69 

stationing, 14 for Northfield, 14 for Greenfield, 14 for Colrain, 
8 for Falltown, 4 for Charlemont, 3 for Huntstown, and on the 
13th of May went to Huntstown to see where the fort should be. " 

As both the forts in Huntstown had been built, Colonel 
Hawks' errand probably was to decide at which fort the men 
should be stationed. 

July 8, Colonel Williams received an order to send a guard of 
nine men to Huntstown. They were sent under command of 
Sergeant Allen. The fort had already been built that season, 
and is well described by Dr. Shepard. It stood about twenty 
rods north of the house where Mr. Asa Wait now lives, and 
included Mr. Chileab Smith's house which stood just east of the 
present highway and extended easterly to the low ground to 
include the spring. A guard was probably here until the close 
of the war in 1759. Nathan Chapin, one of this guard, improved 
his time and opportunity by marrying Mary Smith, daughter 
of Chileab. He was the ancestor of the present Chapins in town, 
a Revolutionary soldier, and will be further noticed. 

Another smaller fort was built, half a mile south, for 
the protection of the Phillips and Ellis families and others. 
A lady now living in this town remembers hearing her great 
grandmother relate how the family used to go down and spend 
the night at the fort for greater security from the Indians. The 
site of this fort with the well near it may still be seen in the 
pasture south of Church and Broadhurst's. The records of the 
old Baptist Church for 1756 say, "They continued in the town 
and kept up the Publick Worship of God on the first day of the 
week continually." 

By the foregoing dates it will be seen that the settlers were 
really absent but a few months. About the time the guard was 
sent to Huntstown, guards were also stationed at the two forts 
in Charlemont and at two forts in Colrain. Scouts were also 
continually scouring the woods westward, and any sign of the 
enemy was quickly reported to the settlements, and with all 
these precautions the inhabitants felt a sense of partial security. 
At any rate, work in the settlement went on and some Proprie- 
tors' meetings were held during the war. 



70 History of Ashfield 

September 10, 1760, a Proprietors' meeting was held at the 
house of Mr. John Victory in Huntstown, at which it was voted 
to purchase a law book for the use of the inhabitants and to hold 
the future meetings at Huntstown, Ephraim Marble, Clerk. 
Previous to this, only one meeting had been held here; that in 
1754 with Daniel Alden for Moderator. The meetings had 
usually been held in Hadley or Hatfield. The next meeting was 
held at the house of Ebenezer Belding, when it was "voted to 
have a suit with Deerfield if it be necessary. " March 25, 1761, 
at house of Thomas Phillips "Voted to rase a tax of thirty shil- 
lings on each Right for laying out and mending roads," also, 
"Voted to procure a Bull for the use of the Inhabitants, and 
that Moses Smith provide and keep a Boar." Also "to raise 
six pence on each right to purchase a law book and that Nathan 
Chapin be a committee to effect the same. " 

About this time it is recorded that there were nineteen fami- 
lies here. The next meeting was held at the same place on May 
20, and a committee of three men from Deerfield was chosen to 
say how much Chileab Smith shall be paid for sawing boards. 
Also voted to sue for the clerk and treasurer's books then at 
Hatfield. The next meeting was at the house of Richard Ellis, 
and it would seem that a good delegation from Hatfield was 
present, for Reuben Belding was chosen Clerk and Obadiah 
Dickinson Treasurer, both Hatfield men. Voted "That the 
place of holding future meetings be at the house of Zachariah 
Billings in Hatfield." December 9, at the last named place, it 
was voted "to direct Reuben Belding to require Ephraim 
Marble to deliver up the Proprietors book." It would seem 
that the Hatfield and Hadley people bought largely of the 
Rights in Huntstown, consequently could control more votes in 
a Proprietors' meeting than the actual settlers. The meetings 
were continued in Hatfield for three years. 

In 1763 another division of lots of one hundred acres each was 
made, mainly in the southeasterly part of the town, the rest 
scattered. Lot No. 1 of this division was the School Lot and 
extended easterly to the banks of South River near Blakesley's 



Progress, Indians, Why Ashfield? 71 

Mill to Deerfield Line ; Deerfield claiming up to this line at that 
time. 

It has been seen that in order to cover expenses and "bring 
forward the settlement, " numerous assessments had been made 
on the rights. Many of these taxes had not been paid, therefore 
in 1763, a committee was chosen to sell at public "vendue" the 
lands held by the delinquents, sufficient to pay the taxes thereon. 
This was done at several times in 1763-4. This land sold at 
prices varying from one and a half to six shillings per acre, 
according to the situation. The buyers were mostly the settlers; 
but some land was bought by new men just coming in. Prob- 
ably nearly one thousand acres were sold. 

Much trouble had arisen in laying out lots on the borders of 
the town, because it was not certainly known just how far out 
Huntstown extended. In July, 1762, at a meeting in Hatfield, 
Obadiah Dickinson, Reuben Belden and Nathaniel Kellogg 
were chosen a committee to "Prefer a Plan to the Great and 
General Court for confirmation of the Township of Huntstown 
so called, and also that the Committee be directed to act further 
as they shall think proper." The line next to Deerfield was 
very uncertain and there had been trouble ever since the first 
settlement. In 1741, Deerfield put in to the General Court a 
Plan of its township which Huntstown claimed cut off several 
thousand acres of its lands. The fight between the two town- 
ships before the General Court continued for years, sometimes 
with a good deal of bitterness. On one occasion the Huntstown 
petitioners say that when they remonstrate with their Deerfield 
neighbors, all the satisfaction they get is "Clear away as fast 
as you can and we will come and occupy it. " Mr. Sheldon says 
the trouble was, the river was crooked. The grant of Deerfield 
extended from the Connecticut River nine miles west into the 
woods. If the Deerfield men measured from a point in the 
nearest crook, they would of course carry Huntstown to the 
westward. The above committee presented their petition before 
the General Court January 25, -1763, saying that in 1741, Deer- 
field had put in a plan of that town which was accepted by the 
General Court, but which cut off several thousand acres from 



72 History of Ashfield 

Huntstown; that in 1742, Huntstown put in a petition for an 
Equivalent on the west, and adjoining province lands; that 
an Act to that effect passed the House, but by some accident 
did not pass the Chair. They say that the bounds of the town- 
ship are unknown and ask that a Committee be appointed to 
define them, especially between Huntstown and Deerfield. A 
committee was therefore appointed and after \dsiting the prem- 
ises, and hearing both sides, their report came up before the 
General Court June 18, 1765, and the vote is recorded as follows: 

In the House of Representatives. A plan of the Township 
of Huntstown taken by Eleazer Nash, Surveyor and Chainmen 
on Oath, bounded as follows viz^ beginning at a Maple Staddle 
and heap of Stones marked thus 9x which stands in Deerfield 
West line 420 perch from their southwest corner on the course 
North 19° East, and from the aforesaid Maple, runs North 19° 
East 2180 perch to a Hemlock tree marked 9x and a heap of 
Stones. Thence West 17° North 650 perch. Thence West 3° 
South 1615 perch to Hatfield Grant, The same being Mayhew's 
Northeast corner. Thence South 1050 perch. Thence East 22° 
South 1714 perch and closed to the first boundary. Contains 
23040 acres. Surveyed August 1st, 1764, one Rod in thirty 
allowed for sag of chain. 

Voted that the said plan be accepted, and the Lands therein 
delineated and described be Confinned to the proprietors of 
the said Hunts Town their Heirs and Assigns. 

This decision and Plan of the Committee placed the southeast 
corner of the township over a mile further south. It also moved 
the northeast corner the same direction and distance. It moved 
the line between Deerfield and Huntstown over one hundred 
rods to the east, taking so much of what Deerfield had claimed. 
These comers, also the north line of the town, were probably 
the same as at present. Some of the lots before this were laid 
over into No Town (Buckland) and had to be "removed" 
afterwards. If subsequent measurements were correct on the 
north line, Mayhew's Corner was farther west than the present 
northwest corner. The west and south lines next to Plainfield 
and Goshen have been considerably changed from this Plan. 

On June 19, the next day after this Plan was accepted by the 
General Court, the House Journal says, "A Bill for erecting a 



Progress, Indians, Why Ashfield? 73 

New Plantation called Huntstown in the County of Hampshire 

into a town by the name of ■ was read three several 

times and passed to be engrossed." In the Council the next 
day, the bill was read the first and second times "into a town 

by the name of ■ — . " The next day, June 21, the same, 

"incorporated into a town by the name of Ashfield," read a 
third time and passed to be enacted. So it seems that the name 
was not decided on until the very last stages of the bill, quite 
probabl}^ it was supplied by the Governor and Council without 
outside suggestion. 

It does not appear from the records that any petition was 
sent in for the incorporation of the town; it was probably 
brought before the General Court on the motion of some 
member. It appears by the record that the bill went up to the 
Governor and Council and to its last stage with no name for 
the town inserted. 

During the nine years Bernard was governor, from 1761 to 
1770, thirty-nine towns were incorporated, of which twenty- 
eight were named by him. At this time Lord Thurlow of Ash- 
field, England, was very prominent in England and in hearty 
sympathy with Governor Bernard in his feeling toward the 
colonies. With his penchant for naming towns, and with the 
opportunity given him at the last stage of the bill, there can be 
little doubt that Governor Bernard filled the blank with Ashfield 
in honor of his English friend. There has been much speculation 
as to the origin of the name of our town. A note found in Mr. 
Ranney's papers shows that he favored this explanation. An 
old history of the state, speaking of this town, says it was named 
after Lord Thurlow of Ashfield. 

An Act for Erecting The New Plantation called Huntstown, 
in the Countv of Hampshire, into a Town by the name of Ash- 
field. 

Whereas it hath been represented to this court that the 
erecting the plantation called Huntstown into a town, will 
greatly contribute to the growth thereof and remedy many in- 
conveniences to which the inhabitants and proprietors may be 
otherwise subjected, — Be it enacted by the Governor, Council 
and House of Representatives, 

[Section 1] That the plantation aforesaid, bounded as follows; 



74 History of Ashfield 

viz*, east by Deerfield; south, partly by Narragansct Town- 
ship Number Four, and partly by province land; west partly 
by province land, and partly b'y Bernard's and Mayhew's and 
Hatfield land; and north, by province land; more particularly 
described in a plan of said township, confirmed in the present 
session of the general court, — be and hereby is erected into a 
town by the name of Ashfield ; and that the inhabitants thereof 
shall be invested with all the powers, privileges and immunities 
which the inhabitants of the towns within this province do 
enjoy. 

And be it further enacted, 

[Sect. 2.] That Thomas Williams Esq'., be and hereby is 
empowered to issue his warrant, directed to some principal 
inhabitant of said town, to notify and warn the inhabitants of 
said town, qualified by law to vote in town affairs, to meet at 
such time and place as shall therein be set forth, to chuse all 
such officers as are or shall be required by law to manage the 
affairs of said town. 

And be it further enacted, 

[Sect. 3.] That all taxes already raised for settling a minister, 
or that may be raised for his support, for building a meeting 
house, clearing and repairing roads, be levied on the several 
proprietors of said plantation, according to their interests, 
until the further order of this court; and that said inhabitants 
and proprietors of said town proceed by the same rules, in levy- 
ing and collecting said taxes, as proprietors in new plantations 
are obliged by law to observe. [Passed June 21.] 

At the centennial celebration in Conway in 1867, Rev. Charles 
Rice in his Historical Address says : 

There was much controversy with Huntstown, now Ashfield, 
concerning the western boundary. Twice the Deerfield and 
Conway men got the worst of the matter in law and were com- 
pelled to draw in their lines. They never felt easily as to the 
way the business was settled and unquestionably we ought to 
believe they were wronged. 

We do not see how our good Conway neighbors can lay up 
anything against us for this, for the old Province Laws for 1765 
detail fully how a disinterested Committee appointed by the 
General Court thoroughly investigated the matter and made the 
report as recorded. 



CHAPTER III 

ROADS, MEETINGHOUSE, BAPTIST TROUBLES 

As can be seen by consulting the Plan of lots, spaces were 
left for roads between different tiers of lots, but very often they 
could not be used as they were located, and had to be laid out in 
different places. The first record of a road laid out in Hunts- 
town is found in the old Hampshire records at Northampton, 
Court of Sessions, 1754. 

We met at Deerficld, began at the east path, south from the 
top of Long Hill, which leadeth out to the old sawmiill, and in 
said path until it comes to the path turning out northerly, com- 
monly called Huntstown road, and on said road as it was marked 
by the town of Huntstown, and now commonly traveled, until 
it comes unto the west side of Deerfield bounds, and from thence 
in the northern road unto Thomas Phillips' house in Hunts- 
town, and from thence as the road now goes to the west side of 
said Phillips' lot, and from thence in a straight line to Richard 
Ellis' new house, from thence as the path now goes unto Meeting 
House hill [Bellows Hill], unto a beech tree with stones around 
it, near Heber's fence, the whole road to be ten rods wide. 

What was laid out probably followed nearly the old road 
through what is now Conway to Conway village, then over 
Baptist Hill to the Totman and Pfersich neighborhood, then to 
Thomas Phillips' house at the north end of Lot No. 46 — now 
Mr. Kendrick's pasture, then westerly to a point near the saw- 
mill then just built near the present Bear River bridge, then 
south to where Mr. Lanfair now lives, then west up past where 
Mr. Joshua Hall now lives to the top of the hill. In the map in 
the Ellis book the dotted line marked 00 should go from 48 
westerly to 6, instead of northwesterly to 35. 

In 1761 the Proprietors laid out a road beginning where this 
left off at the top of the hill, then going southwesterly past the 
house of John Nightingale across lots Nos. 13 and 14 around the 
west side of Mill hill to the corn mill, thence past the house of 
Withere 1 Wittium to lot No. 18, then along No. 18 to the east 



76 History of Ashfield 

and west road laid out in the original survey which was nearly 
what is now the main street of the village. This road can easily 
be traced at present. The same day a road was laid from the 
sawmill on Bear River northerly, probably as far as No Town. 
It will be remembered that by the conditions of the Grant, 
the petitioners must "Settle a Learned Orthodox Minister and 
build and finish a Convenient Meeting House for the Publick 
Worship of God. " It seems that it was originally contemplated 
to place the meetinghouse at the north end of No. 47, next to 
the ministerial lot No. 24, south of where Church and Broad- 
hurst now live, but in May, 1743, it was voted that "when built 
it be built on the Southing end of Lot No. 7 or Southing end of 
Lot No. 1, " (on Bellows Hill). Then April 4, 1744, voted "that 
as there is great expectation of a war with France ye building 
of a Meeting House be suspended at present." November 12, 
1753, voted to raise £50 to build a meetinghouse under charge 
of former Committee. May 20, 1761, voted that the committee 
chosen to expend the money for building the meetinghouse, 
and to pitch a place where to set it still be the committee for the 
same. December 9, 1761, voted that they will as soon as con- 
venience will admit proceed to build a meetinghouse and that 
it be under the direction of a committee appointed for that 
purpose. Obadiah Dickenson, Nathaniel Kellogg, Reuben 
Belding, John Sadler, Major Fuller, Ebenezer Belding and 
Phillip Phillips were chosen that committee "to carry on the 
affair to the best advantage for the proprietors, and complete 
the same so far as to set it up and cover it and glas it and lay the 
floor. The dimensions of the house to be 35 feet in length and 
45 feet in breadth." Also voted that "the former place of 
setting the meeting house be revoked, and that the meeting 
house that is to be set up in Huntstown be set up on the 13th 
lot, on the north end as near to the highway as convenience will 
admit. " (A few rods south of the fomier location.) October 
27, 1762, voted that "the Dimensions of the Meeting House be 
48 feet in length and 36 in breadth." June 22, 1764, voted to 
raise £20 for roads if needed — remainder for materials for meet- 
inghouse. December 11, 1765, meeting at inn of Joseph 



Roads, Meetinghouse, Baptist Troubles 77 

Mitchell (east side of Bellows Hill). Voted to "raise £60 in 
order to go forward with building a meeting house and to go 
forward with building a meeting house next spring and set it up 
as soon as it conveniently can be." July 13, 1766, voted "not 
to revoke the vote to set the meeting house on the northerly end 
of Lot No. 13, and not to choose a new committee." During 
the summer of 1767 the frame of the house was erected on 
Bellows Hill, but there was evidently opposition to the location. 
New settlers were already locating in the village and to the 
south and west of it, and it was felt that very soon this site 
would be outside of the center of the increasing population. By 
the last section of the Act of Incorporation it will be seen that 
the town independently of the Proprietors was interested in the 
meetinghouse and on August 10, 1767, at a town meeting it 
was voted "not to concur with the Proprietor's vote to cover 
the meeting house where it stands. " November 4, 1767, at the 
inn of Joseph Mitchell it was voted to adjourn to the house of 
Samuel Lillie (near the present cemetery by the village) at 8 
o'clock the next morning, then adjourned back again to inn of 
Joseph Mitchell at 11 o'clock where it was voted 

That with regard to ye ineeting house. Notwithstanding the 
Proprietors did at their meeting ye 7 of July 1762 vote that ye 
meeting house be set at ye North end of ye Lot No. 13 first 
division, where ye frame now stands; Sd Proprietors and many 
of ye Inhabitants being apprehensive it does not stand in a 
suitable place to accommodate ye town, Voted: That they will 
move the Meeting House Frame to ye Northerly end of Lot No. 
18, 1st Division, Viz. About forty rods from ye North end 
thereof where we have this day set up stakes for the front of ye 
house fronting ye road that leads to Capt. Fullers. Voted, To 
make application to Mr. Sam' Anable of Bernardston in pulling 
down the Meeting House. 

There was still another attempt to obstruct this removal. 
In a warrant for a town meeting to be held November 12, 1767, 
one week after the Proprietor's final vote, was an article "To 
see if the town will choose a Committee and Impower them to 
Put a Stop to these proceedings in Puling down the Meeting 
House Frame til further order of the town, " but it appears the 



78 History of Ashfield 

vote did not pass. The place designated for the meetinghouse 
and where it was subsequently set was in what is now the 
cemetery, the front of the building being near the burial lot of 
Mrs. Henry Hall. 

The work, however, progressed slowly. August 17, 1768, voted 
"to raise £5 on each right and to choose a committee to go for- 
ward with the meeting house. " February 8, 1769, voted that 
"the committee chosen at ye last meeting to build ye Meeting 
House have Power to hire ye Work done by the great. " 

In January, 1771, the Proprietors met at the meetinghouse 
the first tiine for a meeting. 

The inatter of the controversy between the Baptist and Con- 
gregational churches alluded to by Dr. Shepard is of such im- 
portance as to deserve more than a passing notice here and we 
can do no better than to quote largely from a paper read by Mr. 
Charles A. Hall before the P. V. M. A., February 26, 1907, "In 
regard to Chileab Smith and his fight for the rights of the Ash- 
field Baptists. " 

[In his pamphlet entitled "An answer to inany slanderous 
reports cast on the Baptists at Ashfield, (Printed in Norwich 
by Robertsons and Trumbull, for the author, 1774 — Reprinted 
by W. McKinstry, Censor Ofiice, Fredonia, N. Y., 1865, for 
Quartus Smith of Stockton, N.Y., great gransdon of the author) " 
Chileab Smith says, "My father died when I was four years old, 
but my mother instructed me in things of religion and taught 
me how to live." He passed through many heart-breaking 
religious experiences as he grew up but at last "was delivered 
out of spiritual Egypt, and the cry of my soul to the Lord was 
what will you have me to do? " He went and joined himself to 
a church in Hadley, which he says, "I found out afterwards was 
wofully fallen or else never was in good standing." His objec- 
tion to this church was "that they did not pretend to require 
a person to be converted in order to join the church but take 
them in when under the power of a carnal mind, which the 
Scripture saith is enmity against God and is not subject to his 
law, neither can be. " He went to the Association carrying his 



Roads, Meetinghouse, Baptist Troubles 79 

principles in writing with hiin. He described first the true 
Church of God, and secondly the church in Hadley. "Its 
members not living stones but dead in trespasses and sins, so 
that if a person is no better than is required to be a member of 
their church he must perish eternally." The Association told 
him he was wrong, so he "went home and withdrew from that 
church in a public meeting. Some were for dealing with me but 
finally they let me alone. Not long after this I removed to 
Huntstown, (1750) — now called Ashfield. " He found the in- 
habitants of Huntstown rather indifferent about religious 
matters. He says he was concerned about the spiritual welfare 
of his children, his neighbors, "and also for mankind universal. " 
He says, "After thinking a long time about the matter I was 
showed the duty and obligation I was under to let the light 
which was lighted up in my soul shine before others and not to 
hide it under a bed or a bushel, which gained a resolution in 
my mind to declare to others if they would hear me — the truths 
which la}' on my mind and let come what will." So he called 
a meeting for religious worship and "when the time came there 
came together almost all there were in town to hear. " 

This was the beginning of the Baptist Church in Ashfield, for 
Mr. Smith sa^'s, "We were led to see of Baptism that immersion 
was the mode and believers the subjects and this we practice. " 
All his eight children were converted and inany of his neighbors 
also. His oldest son, Ebenezer, was fond of reading the Bible 
and good books. His father says, "And now the knowledge he 
had received in his heart with the head knowledge he had re- 
ceived before, being sanctified by the grace of God was all 
improved in speaking of the kingdom of Christ publicly in our 
meetings. In the year 1761, my son, Ebenezer Smith, was 
chosen by the universal vote of the church and ordained to the 
pastoral care of the church and thus continues to this day." 
It may be said here that Ebenezer Smith's "head-knowledge" 
was not considered by his Congregational opponents as suffi- 
cient for "A learned Orthodox Minister." 

On December 22, 1762, the Proprietors gave a call to Mr. 
Jacob Sherwin to settle with them in the work of the gospel 



80 History of Ashfield 

ministry. February 22, 1763, a Congregational Church con- 
sisting of fifteen members was formed by an ecclesiastical 
council convened for the purpose and on the following day Mr. 
Sherwin was by the same council, ordained pastor. The articles 
of faith and covenant were consented to and signed by the 
following persons: Jacob Sherwin, Thomas Phillips, Nathan 
Wait, Ebenezer Belding, Joseph Mitchell. Mr. Sherwin was 
born in Hebron, Connecticut, and was graduated from Yale 
College in 1759. 

The churches were now organized and ready for trouble 
which began at once. Each church claimed that their minister 
ought to have the land set aside in the several divisions for the 
first minister. The Congregationalists could not claim that they 
were first on the ground, so they claimed that Ebenezer Smith 
was not a regular minister, but a kind of "hedge priest; " though 
the Baptist Association which met in Warren County, vSeptem- 
ber 24, 1769, set the seal of regularity upon him and his society. 
The Congregationalists were now most numerous in town and 
being supported by most of the non-resident Proprietors they 
seized upon the ministerial lands which they never gave up. 
They also voted to tax all the people in town, without regard to 
their religious belief, for the support of the Congregational 
Church and for the building of the Congregational Church. 
Chileab Smith in his pamphlet says: "The other society or- 
dained their minister in 1763. We endured the injustice of 
paying his settlement and salary and for the building their 
meeting house till the year 1768; then in May, the church sent 
a petition to the General Court in Boston for relief. They 
chose a committee to look into the affair and our petition 
appeared so reasonable to theiu that they blamed me for not 
coming sooner for help. But finally the Court passed a resolve 
that I should go and notify the town and proprietor's clerk with 
a copy of our petition to show cause if any they had, why our 
prayer be not granted at the next session of this court, and that 
further collection of taxes, so far as respected the petitioners, 
should be suspended in the meantime. But alas for us! ! after 
I was gone to do the business they told me to do, at the same 



Roads, Meetinghouse, Baptist Troubles 81 

sitting the General Court made an act wherein they empowered 
our opponents to gather money of us or sell our lands for the 
payment of their minister and the finishing of their meeting- 
house — yet I went to the Court at the day they appointed but 
could get no hearing." This act passed for the benefit of the 
Congregational society was called "An act in addition to an act 
for erecting the new Plantation called Huntstown in the county 
of Hampshire, into a town called Ashfield. " By it the Pro- 
prietors were empowered to lay and collect such taxes as they 
thought necessary for the purpose of completing the Congrega- 
tional meetinghouse, for the settlement and support of their 
minister and for the maintenance of roads ; and the act provided 
that "the monies so raised shall be assessed upon each original 
right consisting of 250 acres each, every part of which, in whose- 
soever hands it may be, being subject to taxation. " This was 
an unusual law even for those days, and gave the Baptists no 
chance to escape taxation for the support of the Congregational 
Church. The great struggle of the Ashfield Baptists was to get 
this law repealed and no 

"Village Hampden who with dauntless breast 
The little tyrant of his fields withstood" 

ever showed more persistent courage than Chileab Smith in the 
long discouraging years when he stood up for the religious free- 
dom of the people of Ashfield. 

This law may be found in Vol. 4 of the Province Laws, Chap. 
5, Page 1015. Many documents connected with the case are 
also printed and on page 1035, in speaking of this act it is said, 
"The importance of the subject which the passage of this act 
brought into discussion in the Province and before the Privy 
Council seems to warrant the printing of the following papers 
which though cumulative and repetitious and generally written 
by illiterate persons in humble life, form a significant part of the 
series of efforts to secure that religious liberty which today is the 
boast of our commonwealth." The following is a copy of one 
of the many petitions sent to the General Court by the Bap- 
tists. Their Church Records say: "Under our oppression we 
sent 8 times to the General Court at Boston for relief, but got 
none." The petition says, (Page 1036 Vol. 4, Province Laws): 



82 History of Ashfield 

An Acct. of ye sufferings of ye B'p't's in i\shficld. 1. Con- 
stituted June 27, 1761. 2. Minister ordained Aug 20, 1761 by 
Elder Noah Alden, Vitnian Jacob, with two private brethren 
from Sturbridge. 3. Number of Communicants in 1769, 30. 
4. Our society who have agreed in ye choice and ordination of 
our Elder were by far ye major part of ye inhabitants of ye town 
at yt time; and we were ab't building a Meeting house, but 
were forced to desist by reason of there coming into town a 
number of men of a contrary persuasion who by help of ye non- 
resident proprietors over powered in voting so yt they have 
raised large sums of money for another meeting house and have 
settled another minister and given him a large settlement and 
salary, and have built their meeting-house and altho ye General 
Court had granted a considerable tract of land to ye first min- 
ister yt sho be settled in this town, yet ye above party have 
seized upon ye land and put their minister (though not ye first) 
into possession of it, and we have been forced to pay at several 
vendues ye sum of ten pounds lawful money upon each right, 
chiefly for their minister and meeting house, and have since 
raised a tax of 150 pounds for yt use and have this year 1769 
voted a tax of 507 pounds lawful money wholly for yt use and 
have posted our lands for sale to force us to pay our equal pro- 
portion thereof, yet not one penny allowed us for our meeting- 
house. Thus it appears that our oppression is very great in this 
regard for ye appearance of things are such at present yt we see 
nothing but yt our lands will be sold and we be disinherited for 
ye maintainance of a society to which we do not belong. For 
altho w^e have sent two petitions to ye General Court for help, 
as yet we have had none, thus far 

Chileab Smith 
Ebenezer Smith 

Their cause was also taken up by the Baptist Committee of 
Grievances acting in the name and by the appointment of the 
Baptist churches met in association in Bellington, this province, 
the 11th, 12th and 13th days of September, 1769. (see Province 
Laws Vol. 4, page 1038.) 

The answer of the Proprietors is very long. I will give a few 
extracts from it. Speaking of the Baptist petition they say: 

Your respondents are sure your excellencies and honors 
cannot rightly judge unless the real character and trvie springs 
of action of the people professing themselves Baptists in this 
part of the country, (we profess not to be acquainted with 



Roads, Meetinghouse, Baptist Troubles 83 

others) are fairly laid before you, and here the truth obliges us 
to declare that those people with and about us who have now 
assumed the name of Baptists were originally Separatists, as 
they were vulgarly called from the established church without 
other name or appellation than Separatists. The causes and 
springs of whose separation have been such as these: to wit, 
with some it was an unconquerable desire of being teachers, a 
privilege or indulgence which could in no other wise be issued to 
them but by a disorderly separation from the churches to which 
they belong and setting up a meeting of their own. Some have 
left the churches and gone to these people because they have 
been guilty of such offences as justly exposed them to a kind of 
discipline to which they could not feel themselves willing to sub- 
mit and some have had the effrontery to say that the standing 
ministry is corrupt. Ministers themselves unconverted. The 
churches impure and unholy. Admitting unconverted and un- 
sanctified persons to their communion &c. 

These charges it will be seen refer mostly to Chileab Smith's 
troubles with the church in Hadley. They also say: 

In a word these meetings or churches or whatever else 
they may be called as well since as before they took their 
present denomination have been a kind of receptacle for 
scandalous and disorderly Christians, and may with some 
degree of propriety be considered as a sink for some of the filth 
of Christianity in this part of the country. * * * Thus pride, 
vanity, prejudice, impurity and uncharitableness seem to have 
originated and also much to have supported a sect so pure that 
they cannot hold communion with ordinary Christians. The 
legislature we humbly conceive cannot with any propriety inter- 
pose in matters of religion further than to secure good and 
prevent ill effects of it to the state. Whenever then any religion 
or profession bears an ill aspect to the state it becomes a proper 
object of attention to the legislature. Of this kind most evi- 
dently is that religion which rejects men of learning for its 
teachers and altogether chooses such as are illiterate and men of 
ordinary ability and this is the religion of ye people we have 
been describing. 

Of Elder Ebenezer Smith they say "That there is such a man 
as Ebenezer Smith is true. That this same Ebenezer Smith is a 
regularly ordained minister in a legal or scriptural or any other 
commonly received sense of ye words is as notoriously not true." 

In refreshing contrast to the spirit of this paper is the follow- 
ing put in by the Baptists as a part of their case: "We whose 



84 History of Ashfield 

names are undersigned have no objection against the Anabaptist 
society being set free from paying to the maintainance of the 
other society which they do not belong unto. " Dated Ashfield, 
June ye 9th 1768. Signed Jonathan vSprague Jun. Isaac Crit- 
tenden Jun. John Ellis, Simeon Wood, Nehemiah Washburn, 
Aaron Fuller, Zebulon Bryant, Jonathan Ta^'lor, Azariah 
Selden, John Wilkie, John Brigs, Jacob Washburn. 

At a time when men let their prejudice in favor of their own 
sect overthrow every other consideration, these men, none of 
whom were Baptists, were willing that other people of a different 
creed should have a square deal, and they ought to have credit 
for it. The legislative committee to which the Baptist petition 
and the Proprietors' answer was referred reported: 

That there never was a law relating either to Churchmen , 
Baptists or Quakers, exempting them from paying taxes con- 
sidered as Proprietors or Grantees in a new Plantation. * * * 
The laws relative to them respect only such rates as are assessed 
by towns, district, or parish. Your committee finds that in 
the sale of these lands there was no unfairness, but every thing 
quite fair, quite neighborly and quite legal. Upon the whole, 
your committee though desirous that everything might be done 
that can be desired for persons of every denomination of Chris- 
tians, whereby they may worship God in their own way and 
according to the dictates of their o^\^l consciences without any 
let or molestation whatsoever, yet for the reasons above men- 
tioned and many more that might be offered it is our opinion 
that said petition be dismissed. W. Brattle by order. 

The Council voted that the petition be dismissed. The House 
of Representatives non-concurred and "voted that Mr. Denny, 
Col. Bowers and Mr. Ingersoll of Great Barrington with such as 
the Hon ble board shall join to be a committee to bring in a bill 
repealing the act," but the Council non-concurred and the 
Baptist petition was denied and the Baptists were beaten in 
their long fight. I cannot help having a feeling of satisfaction 
that the House was willing to do the square thing by the Bap- 
tists. In a letter written long after, Elder Ebenezer Smith said, 
"This looked like a dark day, but I had this for my support that 
there is a God in heaven that governs the affairs of men. " Elder 
Smith soon had reason to know that his support was sure, for 



Roads, Meetinghouse, Baptist Troubles 85 

in Backus' History of the Baptists, 2nd Edition, Vol. 2, page 
160, it is said that "When such a noise was made in Boston 
about the Ashfield affair, Gov. Hutchinson happened to look 
and find that the word support was not in the original grant of 
those lands, and perhaps he might hope that by relieving the 
Baptists he should draw them to his side of the controversy 
betwixt America and Britain. Be that as it may, he privately 
sent word to one of the committee and advised him to send the 
Ashfield law to a friend in London who might present it to the 
King in council, and he promised to write to Gov. Bernard, who 
passed it, to use his influence to have it repealed. This was done 
and its repeal was effected, then their oppressors had their turn 
of waiting upon one assembly after another unsuccessfully, for 
though several acts were framed for them, yet the consent of 
the governor could not be obtained till they found out what his 
mind was and conformed to it." 

The friend in London to whom the Baptists turned for help 
was Dr. Samuel Stennett, pastor of the church in Little Wild 
Street. He was a Baptist minister who was in favor with George 
the Third. Dr. Stennett received his degree from Aberdeen 
University in 1763. He was the author of many hymns, among 
others, "On Jordan's stormy banks I stand," and "Majestic 
sweetness sits enthroned upon the Saviour's brow." His peti- 
tion is in part as follows: 

To the Right Hon ble the Lords Commissioners of Trade & 
Plantations. The humble petition of Samuel Stennett on behalf 
of the Baptists in Ashfield in the County of Hampshire New 
England sheweth that by a Grant from the General Assembly 
in 1765 the Plantation of Huntstown in the County of Hamp- 
shire was erected into a township by the name of Ashfield with 
a condition that the settlers should build a meeting place and 
support an Indipendcnt minister that 17 families were settled 
in Ashfield of which 12 being Baptists a Baptist church was im- 
mediately established there that the Indipendents also estab- 
lished a church requiring the Baptists to support their minister. 
Agreeable indeed to the terms of the grant, but contrary to a 
general law freeing Baptists and Quakers from taxation towards 
the support of other churches. That the Baptists therefore 
refused to pay towards the support of the Ashfield Indipendent 



86 History of Ashfield 

minister; that in May or June 1768, an act passed in addition 
to the aforesaid act of 1765 which confirmed the grievance 
complained of; that the Baptists still refusing to comply, their 
effects were distrained for payment. That they have since 
petitioned the Assembly for a repeal of the Ashfield law passed 
in 1768, and that not having obtained such repeal, your peti- 
tioner prays on behalf of said Baptists that his Majesty will 
graciously be pleased to disallow the said Ashfield act, and as 
speedily as may be judged convenient, as the time limited for 
the King's disallowing it is now very nearly expiring. 

At the Court of St. James the 31st of July 1771, present the 
King's most excellent Majesty in Council" — The report of this 
meeting of the Council says in part: "The said Lords of the 
Committee did this day report as their opinion to his Majesty 
that the said act ought to be disallowed. His Majesty, taking 
the same into consideration, was pleased, with the advice of his 
privy Council to declare his disallowance of the said act and to 
order that the said act be, and it hereby is disallowed and 
rejected. Whereof the Governor, Lieut. Governor, or Com- 
mander in Chief of His Majesties Province of Massachusetts 
Bay for the time being, and all others Whom it may concern 
are to take notice and govern themselves accordingly. 

So the long fight was won and the wrong done by the sectarian 
quarrel among a few rude farmers in the little backwoods settle- 
ment was righted by His Most Excellent Majesty sitting in 
Council at the splendid Court of St. James. It was a great 
victory, not only for Baptists but for all religious denominations 
in this commonwealth; for none of them should thereafter be 
taxed " for the maintainance of another society which they do not 
belong unto." Great was the joy in Baptist Comer, and great 
was the confusion of the opposition, for this decision of the King 
was entirely unexpected by them and they were overtaken and 
thrown down by it in the midst of their high handed career. 
Ebenezer Smith says that there were only three persons in 
America who knew that the Baptists had appealed to the King. 
(See letter in Ellis Book, page 342.) The records of the Baptist 
Church contain this extremely brief account of the matter, "In 
Oct. 1771, We were set at liberty by the King of Great Britain 
and our lands restored. "] 

(This entire paper may be found published in the V. Vol. of the 
Transactions of the P. V. M. A.) 



CHAPTER IV 

RUNNING RECORDS AND EVENTS TO 1812 

February 10, 1765, Nathaniel Kellogg and others put in a 
Petition to the General Court that Huntstown was not able to 
pay the taxes levied by the Province, therefore it was ordered 
that a list of the Polls and Estates be taken and returned to the 
Court at the May Session. The tax of Huntstown was remitted 
for three years by a vote in June, 1765, but the valuation list 
given here is recorded in the town book as for 1766 instead of 
1765. 

The records of the first town meetings as stated by Mr. 
Shepard were very imperfect, being only on scraps of paper, but 
Mr. Ranney in 1857 copied what could be deciphered into a book 
for preserv^ation. It seems by these, that before its incorporation 
Huntstown assumed the duties of a town. It met as a town in 
1762-3-4, choosing town officers and passing other votes. 
Among the officers chosen were deerreeves and hogreeves and it 
was usually voted that " hoggs shall run from the first of April. " 

After the incorporation of the town agreeable to the Act, 
Thomas Williams of Deerfield issued a warrant to vSamuel Beld- 
ing to notify the Voters of Ashfield to assemble at the house of 
Joseph Mitchell, innholder, the 6th day of January, 1766, to 
elect necessary officers, etc. This was for Ashfield's first legal 
town meeting and this is the list of officers recorded as elected : 
Samuel Belding, Timothy Lewis, Ebenezer Belding, Thomas 
Phillips, Selectmen; and Joseph Mitchell, Constable. 

After this, meetings were held annually, officers chosen and 
some votes passed. 

In the warrant of 1768 is an article "to see if the town will 
Concur with a Vot past in Boston the 28 day of Oct. 1767 con- 
cerning Keeping Superfluities out of the Country. Voted £12 
for the use of the Schol and other necsay town charges also to 
pay 2 shillings a day for labor for the town. " 

In 1769 three hogreeves, one clerk of the market and three 
tithing men were chosen. The clerk of the market was an office 



88 History of Ashfield 

similar to our scaler of weights and measures. The office of the 
tithing man on Sundays is thus described by a historian: "The 
tithing man was the person who distracted the congregation 
by trying to prevent mischievous boys and girls from making 
a disturbance. He tapped the whispering urchin on the head, 
jogged the snoring deacon, tortured the ear of the somnolent 
female, or if the culprit was too distant, rapped sharply on the 
pew rail, pointing his black rod at the offender. " Another des- 
cription reads, "A sort of Sunday constable, to quiet the rest- 
lessness of youth, and to disturb the slumbers of age. " 

In 1770, it was voted to purchase one acre and a half of land 
of Samuel Lillie for a burial ground near the meetinghouse, 
price 30 shillings. Also in 1772, voted to purchase a burial place 
of Chileab Smith for 12s. 6d. 

From the year 1774 on, the records are tolerably full and com- 
plete — a book for that purpose being purchased in 1776 which 
was used until its last page was reached in 1814. 

The Revolutionary War records we will reserve for another 
chapter, and give running extracts from the other records to 
show the progress the town was making. 

In 1777, the town calls on the authorities to do all they can to 
restrain "vice and profanity among us. " In 1778, five hog con- 
stables are chosen. Also the same year, voted "that the article 
for raising money for schools be dropped. " This, of course, on 
account of the distress occasioned by the war. 1779, voted to 
sell the pew ground at public vendue, and lay out the money in 
repairing and finishing the meetinghouse and a committee was 
chosen for that purpose. Nine highway surveyors were chosen 
that year and £2000 raised for highways. Voted to pay £3 a 
day for a man's labor, the unfaithful to be paid accordingly. 
30s. a day for a yoke of oxen, the same for a plow. This was in 
the old continental currency. The depreciation of this caused 
much trouble and embarrassment. The rate of depreciation is 
stated by authorities to be something like this: January, 1777, 
one hundred dollars in gold or silver was equal to $105 in con- 
tinental currency, in 1778 to $325, in 1779 to $742 and in 1780 
to $4000. In other words, it took $40 in the continental money 



Running Records and Events to 1812 89 

to buy one silver dollar. It has been told by an old resident of 
Ashfield that the Indians in the einploy of the whites about this 
time thought so little of the money that when paid off they 
would use it as wadding for their muskets, then shoot it off, 
saying, "Away goes Continenty. " 

In the earlier stages of the war, the town had borrowed money 
in silver or its equal and now creditors were making inquiries as 
to how they were to be recompensed. Quite a share of the able 
bodied men of the town were in the war and much money had 
been spent in providing for the support of these men and their 
families. A tax of about £20,000 had been levied by the State, 
which was to be paid in 1780. Even the estates of the men in the 
war were to be taxed, unless they, had enlisted for three years, or 
for the war. The people could pay their highway tax because 
that could be "worked out," but they had little or no money 
to pay their other taxes. In 1779, voted that we raise £40 as an 
allowance to those who lent money the last year on account of 
the sink of money. They also vote to choose a committee of 
seven to consider town debts and, make a report of the same. 
Later it was voted to allow the state tax now in the hands of 
collectors to remain uncollected. There were evidently quite a 
number of collectors located in different parts of the town. 
July 16, 1781, voted "that the Selectmen direct the constables 
not to take any money for town taxes until further orders. " 
That year, £6,000 was voted for highways, also to pay $30 per 
day for men's labor, $15 for a team and same for a plow. Voted 
to sell more pew ground, and that Nathan Fuller take care of 
the meetinghouse, and that Mr. Warren Green be appointed 
chorister to assist other choristers in singing the Psalms in the 
Congregation. 

In 1782, voted "that the Straglin Quarkers be ordered to 
leave town within 24 hours or Expect trouble. " More in regard 
to this later. 

They had now evidently gotten back upon a silver basis, for 
they raise this year only £80 for highways and pay 3 shillings 
per day for labor. 

February 26, 1783, "Voted that we will Not pay the five and 



90 History of Ashfield 

twenty shillings vState Tax on the poll nor no other State or 
County Tax or Taxes which may be Assessed upon the town of 
Ashfield, until we are informed by General Court or some other 
Authority the particular use the Said money is Designed for. 
Voted to set up the collection of taxes at public vendue. Bid 
off by Capt. Thomas Warner at 5s. on a £, which was a trifle 
less than 2 per cent. Voted to sell out the Pew Ground all 
round the Gallery of the Meeting House to the Highest Bidder 
and Lay out the money in Building Seats and Glassing the 
house." 

This town shared in the general discontent throughout this 
portion of the state and with the feeling against the state 
government. There was little money, but many debts. The 
law at that time is said to have favored the creditor, and there 
were many executions and also imprisonments for debts. It 
was claimed that these actions were urged on by the lawyers and 
officers for the fees they were able to get out of it. In this town 
some were imprisoned for debt, as votes later show that money 
was raised by the town to help the prisoners after they were 
released. 

May 1, 1786, Capt. Elisha Cranston was chosen representative 
to the General Court, and Dr. Phineas Bartlett, Lieut. Phillip 
Phillips and Mr. Thomas Stocking were chosen a committee to 
prepare instructions. These were his instructions: "1st, That 
he use his influence that the General Court be speedily removed 
out of the town of Boston. 2nd, That he use his influence to 
prevent one certain Act that is proposed to be established the 
first session of the General Court the present year entitled 'An 
Act to provide a supplementary supply for Congress for Twenty 
Five years, ' — Unless the said grievance be removed it is our 
will that the said representative leave his seat. " 

By vote of the town, delegates had been sent to the Hatfield 
and other Conventions that had been held to try to devise means 
to relieve the condition of affairs. The town had also voted to 
recommend to the militia officers that they resign their com- 
missions to their superior officers and as a town they were evi- 
dently in favor of rebellion. We find nothing in the town records 



Running Records and Events to 1812 91 

to show that a body of men from our town actually joined the 
small army under Shays or Day, but Dr. Shepard's statement 
that the military magazine stores were dehvered by the town 
authorities into the hands of the insurgents, and that a company 
of men under a militia captain marched out of town to aid the 
rebelHon is certainly entitled to behef, as his paper was written 
a little less than fifty years after these events, and the facts were 
fresh in the minds of many then hving. But it is a httle singular 
that we cannot now learn of more than four or five men from 
this town who were actually in arms under Shays. 

In the old archives at the State House in Boston are the 
names of fifty Ashfield inen who are recorded as "being con- 
cerned in the late rebelHon ' ' and who took the oath of allegiance 
before Samuel Taylor in the spring of 1787. By an act of the 
General Court, the insurgents were disfranchised until they 
took the oath of allegiance and delivered up their firearms. In 
this list are a number of the foremost men of the town, also 
quite a number who had been soldiers in the Revolution. The 
names follow: Elijah Wait, Simeon Smith, Aaron Lyon, Simeon 
Crittenden, Levi Crowell, Caleb Phillips, Daniel Shaw, Franey 
Ranney, Abram Stocking, Jonathan Lillie, Josiah Fuller, Abner 
Smith, David Ellis, Ebenezer Fuller, Josiah Washburn, Abner 
Kelley, Ephraim Williams, Joseph Warren, David Cobb, Isaac 
Crittenden, Isaac Crittenden, Jr., Calven Lazell, Elijah Smith, 
Asa Cranston, Samuel Taylor, Jonathan Cranson, Robert 
Lazelle, Elisha Cranson, Lemuel Stocking, Chipman vSmith, 
Joshua Vincent, Jonathan Smith, Lemuel Brown, Reuben 
Bement, Elisha Parker, Seth Wait, Ezekiel Taylor, Joseph 
Stocking, Joseph Lillie, Daniel Ward, Jasher Taylor, Daniel 
Belding, John Bement, Alexander Ward, Ansel Brainard, David 
Hall, Joseph Warren, Jr., John Sadler, Amos Stocking, Ebenezer 
Belding, John Loomis. These men probably were not all in 
anns against the government, but were acknowledged sympa- 
thizers with the rebellion. 

At the annual meeting in March, 1787, not one of the men 
on this list was elected to fill any of the thirty town offices for 
that year, being disqualified until they had taken the oath of 



92 History of Ashfield 

allegiance. Some men from this town were among the State 
troops, thus townsmen were in arms against each other. But 
it does not appear that those sympathizing in the rebellion 
suffered any ill feeling from the others, for they were afterwards 
called upon to aid in the counsels of the town as freely as before. 
Although differing as to the best means of remedying their 
troubles, there seemed to be a mutual feeling of forbearance and 
helpfulness among the people. The neighboring towns shared 
in the feeling shown by the citizens of this town. A large part 
of the men in Amherst were in the rebellion. 

There is a well authenticated tradition which goes to prove 
that quite a number went from this town under Shays. It is 
said that when pursued by General Lincoln, the men from this 
section left Shays and buried their firearms in the woods in 
Pelham. After the rebellion had quieted down, one Joseph 
Lillie, who lived opposite where George Ward now lives, was 
sent down for the arms. As secrecy and caution had to be 
exercised he made his way to the place of concealment Saturday 
night under cover of darkness, and Sunday morning with the 
guns well covered in the sled he was on his way home. He was 
soon accosted by a tithing man who took him to account for 
travelling on the Sabbath. Lillie, whose face was well mufffed 
up, said he would be glad to stop, but he supposed he was coming 
down with small pox and people didn't like to keep him. He 
was also held up by the guard at the ferry in Hadley but by a 
clever subterfuge escaped undetected. 

The error fallen into by our ancestors in carrying their dis- 
content and dissatisfaction into actual rebellion against the 
State government was not withovit some good result, for those 
in authority, seeing the determination of the people, did all in 
their power to relieve the situation. 

In December, 1787, Ephraim Williams, Esq., was chosen 
delegate to attend State convention with instructions to vote 
against the new constitution. Voted to. pay a bounty of four 
dollars for each wolf killed in town. 1788, voted to raise £30 to 
repair meetinghouse, also to sell pew ground in the gallery; 
this meant selling space for a pew, each man to furnish or build 
his own. 



Running Records and Events to 1812 93 

1790, voted that the "Selectmen warn such persons to depart 
out of this town as they shall judge necessary to prevent the 
town from cost and charge." In obedience to this vote the 
selectmen, through the constables, warned nearly one hundred 
men, including their families, out of town. Many of those 
warned, afterwards became the most substantial and wealthy 
men of the town. 

In 1792, vote against the division of Hampshire County. 
The Buckland town line was i*un out substantially as it now is. 
In 1794 the dividing line was designated between the two sec- 
tions of the town representing the North and South militia 
companies. In 1797, there was trouble over the boundary line 
between Ashfield and Goshen. 

In 1799, "Voted to give the Rev. Nehemiah Porter a Lease 
of the Lot he now lives on for 999 years with the rent of one 
Pepper Corn yearly if Demanded." In 1800 voted to hire a 
teacher of music the ensuing winter and to raise $60 for that 
purpose. 

In 1804, they seem to be in favor of dividing the county, but 
at the next meeting they vote no. Still later they vote "We do 
wish Hampshire County might remain as it is. " The county 
was divided and Franklin County was set off by itself in 1811. 

As we look over the records at this period we are impressed 
by the fact that intense interest was shown by the town in the 
affairs of the state and nation. Dr. Shepard relates how they 
debated each Article in the State Constitution in open town 
meeting before voting upon it, and in 1808 it was "Voted that 
the Selectmen be directed to present a respectful petition to the 
President of the United States requesting him to use his en- 
deavors to procure a Repeal of the Embargo. " In 1813, "Voted 
to petition the Legislature of this Commonwealth requesting 
them to adopt constitutional measures to put a speedy stop to 
this unrighteous and oppressive war we are now engaged in and 
to prevent such oppression in the future." Also, "Voted to 
instruct the town clerk to send a copy of this vote to the Hamp- 
shire Gazette for publication. " A petition was sent to Congress 



94 History of Ashfield 

praying that the war might be stopped, and Henry Bassett was 
sent as a delegate to the citizens' Convention at Northampton 
representing three counties in western Massachusetts, the 
object of which was to show to the government their desire for 
speedy peace. As is well known, the State was opposed to the 
war and refused the aid of the State militia for the purpose of 
carrying it on, but in the fall of 1814 there being danger of an 
invasion of the State by the British, Governor Strong ordered a 
draft upon the State militia. Nine men were required from 
Ashfield, and on Sunday the eleventh day of September the 
two companies, North and South, were hurriedly called together 
and the following men drafted as ordered: Joshua Knowlton, 
Eli Eldredge, Josiah Kelley, David Vincent, Cotton Mather, 
Anson Bement, George Hall, Capt. Justus Smith, Ziba Leonard, 
Jr. They helped to form a regiment of infantry made up from 
the companies in the northern part of old Hampshire County 
under the command of Col. Thomas Longley of Hawley. There 
was no fighting and at the end of about six weeks the men re- 
turned to their homes. 



CHAPTER V 



POPULATION 



Valuation A. D. 1766 
No. of 
Polls Names 



I ^ £ , . i o ^ „ 5 Total 
§ £ > g & 2 .H g = a for 

Ki-)wOOWtCMSC3 Assesm nt 























£ 


1 David Alden 


1 30 





2 


1 


1 


1 


IS 








52 


1 Sam' Anable 


1 22 





2 


1 





1 


6 








25 


1 Lamberton Allen 


5 





2 


1 

















15 


1 Enoch Allen 































1 Ebenezer Belding 


1 24 





1 


2 


1 


3 


13 








59 


1 Eben-- Belding, Jr. 


1 10 





1 


2 


1 


1 











24 


1 John Blackmer 


1 5 








2 


1 


2 











14 


1 Dr. Phineas Bartlett 














1 














2 


1 John Bement 


1 6 








2 





1 











13 


1 Moses Bacon 































1 Asa Bacon 































1 Zebulon Bryant 































1 Roland Blackmer 































1 Samuel Belding 


1 42 





2 


6 


1 


3 


14 








95 


1 Sam' Batchelder 


1 4 








2 





1 











8 


1 John Briggs 


1 3 








1 





1 











S 


1 John Belding 


5 





2 




















14 


1 Nathan Chapin 


1 49 





4 


4 


1 


1 


50 








105 


1 Isaac Chansey 


3 


























5 


1 Isaac Crittenden 


1 3 





2 


1 


1 


1 











11 


1 Isaac Crittenden, Jr. 











1 





1 


6 








2 


2 Reuben Ellis 


2 30 








2 





1 


12 


1 





67 


1 John Ellis 


1 18 








1 





1 











34 


1 Jonathan Edson 


1 7 








1 


1 


1 











19 


2 Capt. Moses Fuller 


1 27 








3 


1 


3 


10 





4 


69 


1 Nathan Fuller 


6 


























12 


1 Aaron Fuller 


1 8 








2 





2 











20 


1 Nathaniel Harvey 


1 3 








1 





1 











7 


1 Dr. Moses Hayden 


1 4 








1 





2 











11 


1 Joel Kellogg 


1 1 








1 


1 


2 











24 


1 Timothy Lewis 


1 20 





1 


2 





3 











40 


1 Aaron Lyon 


1 8 





2 


2 





2 


8 








27 


1 Samuel Lillie 


1 12 





2 


1 





1 











27 


1 Jonathan Lillie 


1 8 








1 





1 











21 


1 Daniel Lazelle 











1 

















4 


1 Joseph Mitchell 


1 40 





4 


2 


2 


2 


24 








86 


1 John Marble 































2 Thomas Phillips 


1 24 





2 


2 





3 





2 
3 





63 


2 Richard Phillips 


1 19 





2 


2 





2 











43 


2 Benjamin Phillips 


1 21 








2 


1 


2 











45 


1 Phillip Phillips 


1 40 








3 


1 


3 


12 


^ 





92 


1 Simeon Phillips 































2 Chileab Smith 


1 8 





2 


2 





1 


1 








26 



96 



History of Ashfield 



Valuation A. D. 1766 


a 


00 


tc 






« 










Total 


No. of 


s 


a 


<x> 
> 


a 


p 


J-4 


a 




5 


2 


for 


Polls Names 


o 


^ 


c3 


O 


o 

o 


o 




.13 


1 


o 


Assesm'nt 


1 Miles Standish 
































£ 


1 Israel Standish 


1 


12 








1 





2 


4 








28 


1 Lemuel Snow 


1 


7 








1 





2 











14 


1 Joshua Sherwin 


1 


3 








1 





1 











8 


1 John Sadler 


1 


30 








5 


1 


2 


10 








53 


1 Moses Smith 


1 


46 


























70 


3 Jonathan Sprague 


2 


9 








2 





2 





1 





29 


1 Jonathan Sprague, Jr. 


1 


2 








1 





1 











7 


1 Ebenezer Sprague 


1 


5 








1 





1 











12 


1 Jonathan Taylor 


1 











2 


1 














5 


1 Sam' Truesdel 


































1 Nathan Wait 


1 


22 





2 


1 





2 











42 


1 Jeremiah Wait 














1 





1 











2 


1 EHjah Wait 



































1 Samuel Washburn 


1 


4 








1 





1 











10 


1 Nehemiah Washburn 


1 


9 








2 





3 











20 


1 Jacob Washburn 


































1 William Ward 


1 


2 








1 

















5 


1 William Ward, Jr. 


































1 John Wilkie 


1 


1 


























2 


1 Simeon Wood 


































1 Samuel Washburn, Jr. 


































1 Jonathan Yeamons 


1 


11 








1 





2 











22 


1 John Colburn 


































1 Joseph Row 


































1 I sack Shepard 


1 


12 








2 





2 











30 



Total 71 names. 

In the tax list for 1772 the following names were added to 
those of 1766. The figures give their valuation in pounds. 
Where no figures are given, only a poll tax was paid. 

Ebenezer Aulden 5, Barnabas Alden 26, Asael Amsden 75, 
Samuel Allen 44, Daniel Bacon, Samuel Bartlett 62, Enos 
Blossom, John Belding 32, Edward Benton 21, Roland Black- 
more 3, Bethel Benton, Silas Clark 6, Eli Colton 29, Benjamin 
Crittenden, Jesse Edson, 20^/^2, Obed Edson 22, Israel Fay 20j^, 
William Flower, William Ford, David Frary I23/2, Ephraim 
Jennings, Abraham Kellogg 11, Eliab Linsey, Joseph Lillie 5, 
Timothy Lewis 25, Stephen Merrill, Daniel Mighles 8}/2' Daniel 
North, Timothy Perkins Jr., Timothy Perkins 27, Vespasian 
Phillips, Thomas Phillips, Jr. 20, Abner Phillips, Leonard Pike, 
Azariah Sheldon 1^2. Daniel Shaw 26, Chileab Smith, Jr. 5, 
Ebenezer Smith 30, Enos Smith 2, Ephraim Smith 4, Moses 
Smith, Jr. 26, John Sherwin 30, Jonathan Shelley 13^, Baniabas 



Population 97 

Taylor, Jasher Taylor 29, Edward Taylor, Joseph Warren 24, 
Isaiah Washburn. 

The following is the list of tax payers for 1793, as certified to 
by Warren Green, John Bennett and Lemuel Spurr, Assessors: 

Asaiel Amsden, David Alden, David Alden, Jr., John Alden, 
Barnabas Alden, Barnabas Alden, Jr., Lt. Samuel Allen, Samuel 
Allen, Jr., Eleazer H. Allen, Wd. Mary Allen, Esq. James 
Andras, Samuel Anable, Samuel Anable, Jr., Barnabas Anable, 
David Anable, Able Allis, Ebenezar Alden, Lt. Edward Anable, 
Henrys Alden, Solomon Aldrich, Benjamin Aldrich, David Arms, 
Samuel Arms, Lemuel Alden, Lemuel Allis, Dr. John Bement, 
Phineas Bement, John Bement, Ruben Bement, Samuel 
Bement, Severance Bement, Joseph Bishop, Samuel Burton, 
Samuel Belding, Samuel Belding, Jr., Ebenezer Belding, Eben- 
ezer Belding, Jr., Daniel Belding, John Belding, Samuel Bard- 
well, Bezor Benton, Bethel Benton, Lot Bassett, Capt. John 
Bennett, Joseph Baker, Jonathan Baldwin, David IBaldwin, 
David Baldwin, Jr., Lt. Zebulon Briant, Nathan Batchelder, 
Samuel Batchelor, Lemuel Brown, Thomas Bowker, Benjamin 
Bracket, Davis Butler, Dr. Phineas Bartlett, John Baldwin, 
Levi Cook, Elisha Cranson, Jr., Asa Cranson, Abner Cranson, 
Jonathan Cranson, Stephen Cross, Cephas Cross, John Cross, 
Nathaniel Clark, Isaac Crittenden, Simeon Crittenden, Silas 
Clark, Nathan Chapin, Wd. Priscilla Cobb, George Cobb, 
Josiah Cobb, David Cranson, Josiah Drake, Jesse Daw, Lt. 
John Ellis, David Ellis, Levi Eldredge, Eli Eldredge, Samuel 
Elmer, Samuel Elmer, Jr., Zenas Elmer, Thomas Furbush, 
Ebenezer Furbush, Nathan Fuller, Solomon Fuller, Ebenezer 
Fuller, Josiah Fuller, Zachariah Field, Lamrock Flower, Capt. 
Lamrock Flower, Maj. William Flower, William Flower, Jr., Luis 
Poster, Moses Frary, Israel Guile, Robert Gray, Jonathan Gray, 
James Gray, Samuel Gilford, Eldad F. Goodwin, Warreu Green, 
Randall Graves, David Jepson, Anson Green, Seth Gates, Dea. 
Antony Howes, Kimball Howes, Zachariah Howes, Samuel 
Howes, Heman Howes, Samuel Hall, Wd. Bathsheba Howes, 
Ezekiel Howes, Ruben Hall, Joshua Howes, Mark Howes, Joseph 
Howes, Nathaniel Kellogg, John King, Abner Kelley, Jacob 
Kilbum, Lt. Samuel Kilbuni, Joshtia Knowlton, Zebulon King, 
Amos Karr, Benjamin Karr, John Lumis, Josiah Lumis, Joseph 
Lilly, Jonathan Lilly, Bethuel Lilly, Eliakim Lilly, Foster 
Lilly, Esq. Robert Lazell, Calvin Lazell, James Lealand, Aaron 
Lyon, David Lyon, Jonathan Lyon, Lt. Samuel Lincoln, 
Lt. Josiah Moody, Capt. Robert Mantor, Lt. Jeremiah Mantor, 



98 History of Ashfield 

Dr. Francis Mantor, James Mantor, Ezra Moody, Daniel 
Mighells, John Mighells, Jesse Merrill, Stephen Merrill, Heman 
Alarchant, Samuel Nims, Capt. vSelah Norton, Asa Newton, 
Janna Osgood, Phillip Phillips, Esq., Thomas Philips, Elijah 
Phillips, Abner Phillips, Lemuel Phillips, Phillip Phillips, 2nd, 
David Phillips, Simeon Phillips, Dea. John Porter, Richard 
Phillips, Vespasian Phillips, Palatiah Phillips, Spencer Phillips, 
Daniel Phillips, Caleb Phillips, Timothy Perkins, Jr., Abiezar 
Perkins, Eliab Perkins, Elisha Parker, Joseph K. Pain, Samuel 
Paine, Joseph Paine, Jr., Caleb Packard, Joseph Pratt, Samuel 
Porter, Joseph Porter, Asa Porter, Ebenezer Putney, John 
Perry, Sylvester Phillips, Israel Phillips, Joseph Porter, Joseph 
Persons, Calvin Record, Lebbeus Rude, Benjamin Rogers, 
George Ranney, Francis Ranney, Joseph Smith, Joseph Smith, 
Jr., Joseph Stocking, Capt. Thomas Stocking, Abraham Stock- 
ing, Lemuel Stocking, Jonathan Smith, Amos Stocking, Samuel 
Stocking, Joseph Shepard, Dea. Moses Smith, David Smith, 
Salmon Smith, Chileab Smith, 2nd, Jeduthan Smith, Chileab 
Smith, 3rd, Capt. Sylvanus Smith, 3rd, Israel Standish, Levi 
Steel, Elijah Smith, Martin Smith, Dea. Isaac Shepard, Isaac 
Shepard, John Sherwin, Nathaniel vSherwin, Noah Saddler, 
Joshua Saddler, Rowland Sears, Paul Sears, Enos Sears, Elisha 
Smead, Chipman Smith, Abner Smith, Jonathan Smith, 2nd, 
Asa Selden, Lemuel Spurr, Elnathan Sanderson, Ebenezar 
Smith, Jr., Obed Smith, Isaiah Taylor, Thomas Tower, Samuel 
Tinny, Dea. Jonathan Taylor, Jasher Taylor, 2nd. Lt. Jasher 
Taylor, Jonathan Taylor, Jr., Stephen Taylor, Ezekiel Taylor, 
Isaac Tower, Barnabas Taylor, Edward Taylor, James Usher, 
Joshua Vincent, Ephraim Williams, Apollos Williams, Stephen 
Warren, Joseph Warren, Jr., Seth Wait, Seth Wait, Jr., Gad 
Wait, Capt. Thomas Warner, Nathan Wait, Asa Wait, Isiah 
Washburn, Joshua Weldon, Daniel Ward, John Ward, Alexan- 
der Ward, Elijah Ward, Esq. Thomas White, Jonathan Yea- 
mons, Aaron Cross' Estate, Caleb Ward, Elijah Wait. 

The heaviest tax payer was Ephraim Williams, Esq., his tax 
being more than twice as high as any other person. Six persons 
were taxed for a "faculty," viz: Dr. Phineas Bartlett and Dr. 
Francis Mantor as physicians, Zachariah Field as hotel keeper, 
John Bennett as hatter, Levi Cook as saddler, and Thomas 
White as blacksmith. 

April 1, 1822, voted to define the limits of the school districts 
in the town of Ashfield in the following manner, that is to say — 



Population 99 

Voted, that John Ellis, Dimmick Ellis, Ormon Flower, 
Elbridge G. Flower, Horatio Flower, William Flower, Phineas 
Flower, John Alden, Cyrus Alden, Jesse Ranney, Silas Kimberly, 
John Eldridge, 2nd, Elisha DeWolf, John Belding, Moses field- 
ing, Ebenezer Belding, Ashur Belding, John Perry, and Daniel 
Perry shall constitute a school district by the name of the north 
east middle school district. ( B elding ville.) 

Voted that Samuel Bement, Jonathan Yeomans, Jonathan 
Yeomans, Jun., Israel Phillips, Joshua Phillips, William Bassett, 
David Lyon, Marshall Lyon, Eli Gra^^ Isaac Shepard, Joseph 
Paine, Joseph R. Paine, Benjamin Paine, Howard Edson, Jesse 
Edson, Daniel Perkins, Roswell Ward, Joseph Paine, Jn^, Obed 
Elmer and Jeremiah Look shall constitute a school district in 
the town of Ashfield bv the name of the north middle district. 
(Wardville.) 

Voted that Peter Wells, Asa Sanderson, Chester Bement, 
Nehemiah Hathaway, Lyman Cross, Charles Williams estate, 
Thomas Shephard, Thomas White, Elijah Paine, Cotton 
Mather, Widow Norton, John Williams, Jn^, Levi Cook, Levi 
Cook, Jn""., Ira Cook, Atherton Clark, Enos Smith, Levi Miller, 
Jerry Nash, James McFarland, Chester Sanderson, Abner 
Phillips, Caleb Ward, Ellis Pratt, Joseph Ranney, Samuel 
Eldredge, Consider McFarland, and Ebenezer and Horatio 
Montague's estate shall constitute a school district in the town 
of Ashfield by the name of the plain district. (Plain.) 

Voted that John McClintock, William McClintock, Samuel 
Brownson, Stephen Damon, Thomas Morton, Amos Carr, Jun^, 
Otis Andrews, Timothy Catlin, Timothy Catlin, Jn^, Sainuel 
Elmer, Elijah Tobey, Henry Alden, Widow Mary Elmer, Samuel 
Paine, Widow Alice Elmer, Nathaniel Davis, Adolphus Elmer, 
Ebenezer Fames, Chileab Smith, Chileab Smith, Jn""., Ziba 
Smith, Widow Sarah Shepard, Luther Elmer, Abel Pettibone, 
Albert Brownson, Jonathan Richmond, Thomas Phillips, 
Russel Phillips, Nathan Lyon, William Lyon, Elijah Brownson, 
Roger Brownson, Enos Harvey, John Alden, 2"^, Elias Smith, 
and James Andrews shall constitute a school district in the 
town of Ashfield by the naine of the north east school district. 
(Baptist Corner.) 

Voted that Lu1?her Ranney, Widow Rachel Ranney, Nathan 
Wood, Parsons Mansfield, Erastus Mansfield, Thomas Blood, 
Martin Smith, Justus Smith, 2"'^, Reuben Smith, Ephraim 



100 History of Ashfield 

Wheeler, Giles Ranney, Francis Ranney, Stoddard Nims, 
Simon Collins, Alvan Clark, Friend Knowlton, Widow Knowl- 
ton, the farm left by Asa Porter and Elijah Smith, Jn^, do con- 
stitute a school district in the town of Ashfield by the name of 
the south east school district. (Chapel Falls.) 

Voted that Joseph Barber, John Barber, Samuel Barber, 
Ebenezer Cranson, Micajah Howes, Zachariah Howes, Stephen 
Cross, Stephen S. Cross, Alvan Cross, Robert Gray, Robert 
Hartwell, Jonathan Gray, Elias Gray, David Gray, Silas Blake, 
Dorus Blake, Hosea Blake, Widow Gray and Michael Warren 
do constitute a school district in the town of Ashfield by the 
name of the Briar Hill school district. 

Voted that Archibald Burnet, Daniel Burnet, Nathaniel 
Holmes, Chester Wrisley, Thomas Ranney, William Ranney, 
Roswell Ranney, Horatio Bartlett, Phineas Bement, Anson 
Bement, Lemuel Brown, Joel Brown, John Bement, James 
Andrews, Reuben Bement, Jared Bement, Sumner Bement, 
Wait Bement, Adolphus Andrews, John Pease, Jasper Bement, 
Russel Bement, Ebenezer Taylor, David Howes, Marcena 
Sanderson, Elijah Wait, Enoch Bennet, Samuel Ranney, George 
Ranney, Reuben Ranney, Charles Adams, Gad Wait, Samuel 
Guilford, Walter Guilford, James King, Salmon Miller and 
John M. Mansfield shall constitute a school district in the town 
of Ashfield by the name of the south east middle school district. 
(Round School.) 

Voted that Joseph Bishop, Whiting Kellogg, Gilbert Richard- 
son, Aaron B elding, Dorus Graves, Joseph Warren, Benjamin 
Rogers, Abner Rogers, Joseph Manning, Anson Goodwin, and 
John B. Simpson shall constitute a school district in the town 
of Ashfield. (South Ashfield.) 

Voted that Noah Douglas, David Williams, Jonathan Howes, 
Joseph Hall, Lot Hall, 2""^, Simeon Phillips, Heman Howes, 
Joseph Hall, Jn^, Timothy Perkins, Elisha Bassett, Henry 
Bassett, Abraham Stocking, Herod Stocking, George Hall, 
Jonathan Lilly, Jn''., Joseph Porter, Aiistin Lilly, Chipman 
Lilly, Ebenezer Porter, Joseph C. Smith, Justus Smith, George 
Barrus, Isaac Hall, Eliakim Lilly, Arannah Hall's fann, Benja- 
min Wing, Elisha Wing, Daniel Mighles, Ezekiel Mighles, Na- 
thaniel Clark, Chipman Smith, Lucius Smith, Ephraim Wil- 
liams, Abel Williams, Silas Clark, Jonathan Taylor, David 
Taylor, Jonathan Kilbum, Zebulon Briant, William Briant, 



Population 101 

Josiah Fuller, Joseph Fuller, Luke Fuller, Thomas Hall and 
Barnabas Alden shall constitute a school district in the town of 
Ashfield, by the name of Steady Lane school district. 

Voted that Eli Eldredge, Eli Eldredge, Jn^, Lot Hall, Ather- 
ton Hall, Stephen Taylor, Ansel Taylor, Forris Jepson, Ezekiel 
Taylor, Judah Taylor, Isaac Taylor, Jonathan Sears, Asarelah 
Sears, Peter Richardson, Ahirah Sears, Sanford Boice, Widow 
Eleanor Sears, Elisha Parker, William Sears, Levi Eldredge, 
Barnabas Eldredge, Samuel Eldredge, 2"^, Abner Kelley, Abner 
Kelley, Jn""., Josiah Kelley, Asa Selden, Jesse Selden, Thomas 
Tower, Chester Tower, and Paul Sears shall constitute a school 
district in the town of Aslifield by the name of Cape Street. 

Voted that Ebenezer Putney, Lazarus Barrus, Elisha Phillips, 
Stephen Warren, Ammiel Weeks, John Eldredge, Ebenezer Y. 
Palmer, Apollos Williams, Lemuel Phillips, Daniel Williams, 
Nathan Beals, Lot Bassett, Francis Bassett, Isaiah Jenkins, 
Joseph Gumey, Zechariah Gurney, Comfort Beals, Jacob Dyer, 
Laban Stetson, Benjamin Dyer, Jesse Dyer, Jonathan Baldwin, 
Moses Baldwin, John Ford, Thomas Bassett, Solomon Hill, 
Caleb Packard, Jn^, Elisha Hubbard, Abiram Phillips, Hiram 
Beals, Leonard Jenkins, and Caleb Church shall constitute a 
school district by the name of south west school district. (Spruce 
Comer.) 

Voted that George Williams, Asa Guilford, Isaac Church, 
Daniel Mighles, Jn""., Lemuel Eldredge, Aaron Ward, Jonah 
Fuller, Timothy Warren, Kimble Howes, Willard Howes, 
Bethuel Lilly, Bethuel Lilly, Jn^, Albinus Lilly, Seth Church, 
Ezra WilHams, 2"^^, Thaddeus Rude, Jn^, Nathan Porter, 
Samuel Porter, Samuel Porter, Jn""., Joel Lilly, and the farm 
Aaron Ward sold to Lucius Smith shall constitute a school 
district by the name of the west school district. (Watson.) 

Voted that Alexander Ward, Zephaniah Richmond, Benjamin 
Bracket, Ezra Bracket, Ziba Leonard, Israel Williams, Widow 
Ruth Taylor, Zebulon Taylor, Ebenezer Forbes, Daniel Forbes, 
Barnabas Howes. Joseph Vincent, Joseph Vincent, Jn""., David 
Vincent, David Vincent, Jn^, Joshua Vincent, Mark Howes, 
Ezekiel Howes, Daniel Sears, Enos Howes, Jeremiah Taylor, 
Barnabas A. Howes, Ezekiel Howes, Jn^, George Howes and 
Mary Rude shall constitute a school district by the name of the 
Northwest school district. 



102 



History of Ashfield 



Population of Ashfield from 1765 to 1905 

Copied from the State Census Report, 1905 

1765 (Prov. 
1776 (Prov. 
1790 (U. S. 
1800 (U. S. 
1810 (U. S. 
1820 (U. S. 
1830 (U. S. 
1840 (U. S. 
1850 (U. S. 
1855 (State 
1860 (U. vS. 
1865 (State 
1870 (U. S. 
1875 (State 
1880 (U. S. 
1885 (State 
1890 (U. S 
1895 (State 
1900 (U. S. 
1905 (State 
1910 (U. S. 

Out of the fifteen towns then in Hampshire County in 1765, 
the returns from Huntstown, Sunderland and Greenwich were 
not sent in for that census, and the population has been called 
that of the next succeeding census, thus Huntstown is given 628 
in 1765, the same number it had eleven years later. The twelve 
towns in the county that sent in their census in 1765 give 1,532 
houses and 10,567 inhabitants, an average of a little less than 
seven for each habitation. 

The property census of the town signed by the selectmen in 

1766 and given on a preceding page, does not give the popula- 
tion, but has on the list 47 houses. If our town was on an aver- 
age with the other towns in the county, it would give a popula- 
tion of 329 in 1765 which is probably very near the correct 
number of inhabitants the year our town was incorporated. 

It is seen by the table of population that there was a steady 
increase of the number of inhabitants up to 1810, after that, a 



(628) 


— 


628 


— 


1,459 


+ 831 


1,741 


+ 282 


1,809 


+68 


1,748 


-61 


1,732 


-16 


1,610 


-122 


1,394 


-216 


1,342 


-52 


1,302 


-40 


1,221 


-81 


1,180 


-41 


1,190 


+ 10 


1,066 


-124 


1,097 


+31 


1,025 


-72 


1,013 


-12 


955 


-58 


959 


+4 


959 






Population 103 

decrease. The records of the churches show that from the time 
this tax Hst was given in 1793 up to 1820 there were many dis- 
missals and recommendations to the "distant west," "to a 
church in York State, " or "to a church of the same denomina- 
tion wherever Providence may call them." A comparison of 
the list in 1793 with that given of the heads of families in the 
school districts show that many of the surnames go out and new 
ones come in. All of the Anables, the Standishes, many of the 
Smiths, Shepards, Phillipses and others went out. Most of 
these went to western New York, where many of their descend- 
ants may now be found among the most solid and substantial 
people of that section. A few emigrated to western Virginia, 
going with a cart and oxen, and being over six weeks on the way. 
Of those who went to West Virginia were David and Elijah 
Phillips, brothers of the great grandfather of Ralph Phillips, and 
Joseph Howes, brother of the great grandfather of Allison 
Howes. These men had large families when they moved away 
and their descendants are now living chiefly in Barbour and 
Upshur Counties. Like most of the Union men in that section 
they took an active part in the Civil War. Eighteen of the 
grandchildren of David Phillips who went from here were in the 
war, one was killed in battle, one starved in a southern prison, 
one was wounded and made a cripple for life, and one was cap- 
tain of a company. Fenelon Howes, a grandson of Joseph, was 
colonel of a West Virginia regiment. 

Many letters to friends in Ashfield from those emigrating to 
York State in early years, are given in the Ellis book. People 
returning for a visit usually gave good reports of the new country 
which was an incentive to others to follow. Mr. David S. Howes 
used to tell the story of a cousin of his, son of Joseph, coming 
back from the new country, and when it was hinted to him that 
some of his stories of the new section. West Virginia, might be 
slightly exaggerated, he said, "Oh, no. Why, the clover there 
grows so big they use the stalks for fence rails. " 

It seems hardly credible that the cultivation of a single crop 
should have anything to do with the lessening of the population 



104 History of Ashfield 

of Ashfield, but facts go to show that the rise and fall of the 
peppermint industry here affected the population seriously. 

About the year 1812, Samuel Ranney, who had come from 
Chatham, Connecticut, and settled on the place now occupied 
by Wallace Whitney, began in a small way the raising of pepper- 
mint and in a short time had a small distillery for converting 
the plant into oil. The business proving profitable, the neigh- 
bors entered into it, so that in 1821 there were five distilleries 
in operation in town, and in 1830 ten, some distilling not only 
peppermint, but spearmint, hemlock, spruce, tansy, wintergreen 
and other oils. Soon these oils were manufactured into essences 
and peddlers began to go out from Ashfield selling these goods. 
Jasper and Joseph Bement put up the essences and sent out 
hundreds of young men every year from Ashfield and vicinity. 
Seventy years ago there were few young men in Ashfield who 
had not started out with the strap neck yoke over the shoulders 
suspending a basket of essences on one side and a tin trunk of 
Yankee notions on the other. Some were satisfied with one 
short trip, and were glad to return to the shelter of the old home- 
stead, while others continued the business for years. 

Tradition says that the decline of the peppennint industry 
came about in this way: One of the Burnet family who had 
located near Phelps, N. Y., received a letter from his friends 
here, saying that they had an important secret to communicate 
to him which they dare not send by letter. He came east, travel- 
ling a large share of the way on foot, and learned that the secret 
was the profitable raising of peppermint, which the friends 
thought he might do well with in his new settlement. When he 
returned he took with him a quantity of peppermint roots and 
started the plants in the rich soil of his section. They flourished 
and in a few years he and his neighbors were engaged quite 
largely in its cultivation. It was found that it could be more 
easily cultivated and larger crops raised than at the east. The 
news reaching the east, very soon there was a general exodus 
from Ashfield of the peppermint raisers and others to the country 
around Phelps, N. Y. Archibald Burnet, the father of the pep- 
permint pioneer in New York, went out and with him quite a 



Population 105 

number of the Ranney families, some of the Beldings, EUises, 
Phillipses, and many others. The loss of so many of these lead- 
ing families was greatly felt. 

The Ranneys were among the most enterprising men in town. 
One of them built the house now owned by Albert Howes, 
another the house owned by Sanford Boice, still another the brick 
housewhere Wallace Whitney now lives. Archibald Burnet was 
the ancestor of the present Willis, and the marriage of his son Na- 
hum, is thus chronicled in an old Hampshire Gazette of 1811 . "In 
Ashfield Feb. 20th, Mr. Nahum Burnet to Miss Hannah Brown, 
both of Ashfield. 

'Tis nothing strange that Hannah should 
Dislike her name and turn it, 
But how could she in loving mood. 
E'er condescend to Burn-et?" 

In 1892, it was estimated that over $400,000 worth of pepper- 
mint oil was manufactured annually in Wayne County, New 
York, M^here many of the Ashfield people located. For a few 
years past the cultivation of the herb and manufacture of the oil 
has been carried on largely in Michigan, where many of the 
descendants of the earlier emigrants are now living. 

A portion of the facts given above is from clippings preserved 
by Mr. Henry S. Ranney, from a Phelps, N. Y., paper in 1893 
on the question "Who introduced the peppermint industry?" 
in which discussion Mr. Ranney gave some information by 
request. 

The outgoing of so many young men from 1830 to 1850 made 
a loss to the town in numbers. The selling of the goods was 
considered a respectable as well as a profitable business. There 
were few drug stores and the venders of the essences, cordials, 
liniments, and so forth, were usually welcomed by the families. 
Most of them attended strictly to business, avoided the vices 
and f)itfalls, and not only made some money, but gained a 
knowledge of the world and of human nature generally which 
was a real education to them, and which laid the foundation 
for a good business career, for which they often found a larger 
scope outside of their native town. 



106 History of Ashfield 

Dr. William P. Paine, who was contemporary with this 
period, says in his centennial address: 

There has generally been a class of men, greater or smaller 
at different periods of the town's history of much enterprise and 
thrift. Many considerable fortunes were made in former por- 
tions of the century in the traffic of various essences and oils. 
There were several distilleries where all kinds of herbs and 
plants that could find a market were made to contribute of their 
peculiarities. Ashfield essence peddlers cotdd be found in any 
number all over this and neighboring states, and many made 
their way far to the west and south. Money flowed into the 
town in many and large currents, and not a few becoming inde- 
pendent left their mother town which had served them so well, 
and went to other parts much to her disadvantage. 

And Dr. Ellis in his notice of the removal of a prominent man 
from Ashfield to Phelps, N. Y., in this period, says: 

It may be said that in the early part of the present century, 
trafficking in various oils and essences was a very common pur- 
suit in this part of the country. About 1815, Ashfield had 
attained its largest population, so that there was quite a surplus 
of inhabitants and hence a pressing necessity for all who could, 
to seek other and newer locations. And it is not far from the 
truth to say that about the first and second generations in the 
present century of New England youths, when they attained 
to years approaching manhood, invariably supplied themselves 
with a pair of willow baskets or tin trunks, and with these well 
filled with oils, essences, pins, needles, thread, &c, suspended 
from their shoulders by a yoke, started out from the paternal 
fireside to "see the world, " and prospect for a situation in life. 
Many thousands of these young men, full of life and energy, 
and Yankee sagacity, thus equipped, perambulated New York 
and the western states. They were the pioneers in all the newer 
sections of the West, where most of them made for themselves 
a habitation and a name before they returned to the old homes 
in the east, unless, as was the case with many, to make a hasty 
visit to secure a wife from among the blooming damsels left 
behind, who proved themselves no less courageous and desirous 
to face the trials of pioneer life, than had their brothers and 
newly made husbands before them. 

However widely separated they became, there ever remained 
an attachment for the old home which time could not efface. 



\ 



Population 107 



Love for the scenes of their youth grew with the years and were 
ever fresh in their memories. Truly could they say: 

We see it all — the pictures that our memories held so dear 
The homestead in New England far away, 
And the vision is so natural — like we almost seem to hear 
The voices that were hushed but yesterday. 

Indeed, it is conceded that to the energy, enterprise, and 
heroism of New England youth is attributed the rapid settle- 
ment, development and populating of several western states, 
and wherever this inflvience was felt, there was left for all time 
the impress for good, of New England's best genius, indepen- 
dence and love of justice and liberty. 



CHAPTER VI 

ROADS AND POST OFFICES 

We have had an account of the first road laid out to Hunts- 
town in 1754, also of the road from Bellows Hill over the hill 
down past the com mill, then up to what is now the village. 

In 1766, a road was petitioned for from Whately to Williams- 
town through Ashfield. It seems that the authorities did not 
see fit to establish it further west than Ashfield, for the survey is 
recorded as beginning about forty rods west of where Joseph 
Tatro now lives and running easterly and southerly through 
what is now Conway, a part of the way evidently on the trail 
laid out in 1754. Later, various town roads were laid out, fre- 
quently requiring gates to be put up by owners of the lands 
through which the roads passed. 

In a survey of the town made by E. Williams and R. Sears, 
committee in 1795, four county roads are laid down as running 
through the town, viz, a short piece running northwesterly 
across the northeast comer of the town, past where S. P. Elmer 
now lives, the second entering the town east of Frank Loveland's 
and passing through Wardville, and near the house of Dana 
Graves, to Buckland Four Comers. The third had its entrance 
near where the present Conway road is, below Sanford Boice's, 
through South Ashfield, up past the Goodwin place, and the 
Orville Hall place, over "Bug Hill," through Watson to Plain- 
field line. The fourth was the road running directly past Alvan 
Barrus' house in Goshen, then continuing northerly to "Spruce 
Comer," then turning westerly, past the Bassett place into 
Plainfield. 

In 1814, John Alden was chosen agent to oppose the new road 
from Greenfield to Ashfield "in all its stages. " Vote, 98 to 20. 
In 1818, the town chose Thomas White, Esq., to appear at 
Court of Sessions at Greenfield to oppose building a bridge at 
Shelbume Falls. 

From the county road east, the village was approached by 
two roads, one coming from near the Parker place in South Ash- 



110 History of Ashfield 

field, over the hill, entering the village from the south, past Mr. 
Farragut's house. Another road from South Ashfield came past 
Arthur Williams' house, then through a ravine up to the flat 
east of Mrs. Alvan Hall's. In 1830, the change was made to the 
"Dug Hill" road, winding around the hill. 

The earliest road to Buckland ran north on the easterly side 
of "Ridge Hill " to the gap between the ridges near the old Edson 
or Chandler Bronson place, then on the westerly side of the 
ridge. Later, the route was west of the pond, still later, east — 
its present location. 

In 1826, a county road was laid out by the commissioners, 
the record reading as follows: "Beginning at a stone on the 
westerly side of a road leading north and south by John Wil- 
liams Jr's tavern, thence West 18° North 109 rods to the chim- 
ney of Peter Wells' house, thence West 33° North 12 rods to 
Asa Sanderson's land, thence in the same direction 80 rods to a 
red oak stump on the sand bank, " thence on, giving courses and 
distances into the town of Hawley. The road was to be four 
rods wide to Asa Sanderson's land and three rods beyond that. 
The starting point was on the corner near Mrs. Rosa Ranney's 
house where the stone still stands, and Peter Wells' chimney 
was near where C. A. Bronson 's house now is. This road was 
called a great improvement. The old road ran up the hill near 
Bel ding's cross road to the comer near Allison Howes', thence 
northerly by Bassett's, past Ezra Packard's to the Perkins place, 
then crossed over westerly to the present highway. At the 
Sullivan place it followed what is now the Bear Swamp road to 
where the reservoir now is, then turned to the right and came 
out to the present road at the top of the hill east of Henry and 
Abbott Howes'. The "Crossway" beyond the Sullivan place 
was then a very wet and swampy ravine, and the whole distance 
through it had to be built of logs laid crosswise and covered with 
brush and earth. The job of building was let to Ezra Williams, 
who was a famous road builder and a man of pluck and energy. 
Uncle Ezra hired a gang of men at $8 per month, had a small, 
movable house in which to board and lodge his help, and put 
his road through on time. The road was considered so great an 



Roads and Post Offices 111 

improvement that the stage route from Boston to Albany which 
before ran through Spruce Corner was changed to this road, 
passing Uncle Ezra's tavern in the northwest part of the town, 
and through Hawley. 

A road was laid from Hatfield Equivalent (Plainfield) through 
Spruce Comer as early as 1770, since which many changes have 
been made. The Briar Hill road was laid out in 1827 from 
Ephraim WiUiams' (Orville Hall's place) southerly to Goshen 
line. 

In the thirties, many town roads were voted on. There 
seems to have been a kind of road fever, to check which appar- 
ently, Thomas White, Samuel Bassett and Dimmick Ellis were 
chosen a committee "to oppose the laying of roads," this in 
1838. Notwithstanding this, in 1842, quite a change was made 
between Henry Taylor's and Spruce Comer, also soon quite a 
sum was expended on the hill towards Buckland. In 1850, the 
Bear Swamp road was built, the petitioners binding themselves 
that it should not cost the town over $906, excluding jury trials. 
Mr. Jehiel Perkins was not satisfied with the damage the select- 
men awarded him, and called out a jury who gave him a less 
sum than the selectmen, thus throwing the cost on himself. 

In 1853, the road down the stream below the South Ashfield 
schoolhouse was built and in 1868 from South Ashfield to Wil- 
liamsburg. In some cases there was strong opposition to the 
road. At one time a strong opponent of a road called a special 
meeting to oppose the road. At the hour named for the meet- 
ing, the friends of the road being in the majority, the opponent 
was elected moderator, and a motion was immediately made to 
dissoh^e the meeting, which was carried by a large vote, the 
whole proceeding not lasting ten minutes. 

The first roads to and about the plantation were simply trails 
used only for footmen and those on horseback. Later, the trees 
and fallen timber must have been cut away so that oxen and a 
sled could come through. One of the mill-stones for the old 
mill, built in 1743 on Pond Brook, probably came from North- 
ampton, drawn by a yoke of oxen on a sled. It was considered 
no great hardship to ford the streams, and it does not appear 



112 History of Ashfield 

that bridges were built over Bear and South Rivers for quite a 
number of years after the town was settled. 

Not very large sums were raised for roads before the Revolu- 
tion, but in 1781, $6,000 of the old Continental currency was 
raised for highways, $30 per day was allowed for a man's labor, 
the same for a yoke of oxen and a plow. In 1800, the highway 
surve^^ors were instructed to post notices of the day when they 
were to commence work on roads. In 1803, "Voted to allow 
90 cts. per day for men's labor faithfully performed — before 
Jiily 1; 60 cts. per day after, and 50 cts. after Sept. 1. For 
extraordinary work the surveyor may allow more if he thinks 
just — price of a cart and plow to be left at the discretion of the 
surveyor, and if a person is slack and negligent in his work the 
surveyor may reduct as much out of his work as he shall think 
just and proper." These surveyors were chosen in open town 
meeting, usually by nomination, and as it was considered 
courtesy to "take turns," the best supervising talent was not 
always secured. Two sets of tax bills were made out by the 
assessors — a money and a highway tax. Individuals could 
pay their highway tax in money if they chose, but it was not 
often done — labor being more plentiful than cash. 

These highway districts could be made larger or smaller by a 
vote of the town. There were usually a larger number of high- 
way districts than school districts. It was preeminently a social 
system. It gave the people of the neighborhood a chance to 
get together and discuss the questions of the neighborhood, 
town and nation. A yoke of cattle with a plow would open a 
few furrows on each side of the road next the ditch and a line of 
men with hoes would haul it into the center. Not only were 
weighty topics discussed, but a good many stories swapped. A 
faithful surveyor with tact would get considerable labor out of 
the men, and most were interested to improve the roads, but the 
plans of the surveyor were not always approved by all the men, 
and discussions as to how a piece of work should be done con- 
sumed some time. 

In 1862, at the annual meeting, some voter had the temerity 
to criticise this svstem severelv, and made a motion that a 



Roads and Post Offices 113 

money tax be assessed and the repair of the roads be left with 
the selectmen, which after considerable discussion and opposi- 
tion was carried. But the people were so wedded to the old 
system that they went back the next year, and for six years 
highway surveyors were chosen. In 1869, it was left with the 
selectmen to appoint agents instead of electing them in open 
meeting, but in 1870 they were elected again, then for several 
years it was left with the selectmen to expend the money and 
appoint agents at their discretion. In 1876, the old feeling 
broke out again, and for two years, the selectmen were instructed 
to appoint thirty-three agents and give every man an opportu- 
nity to work out what would be his portion of the tax at $1.50 
per day, then for three years it was left with the selectmen ; in 
1881, back to the $1.50 per day and every man a chance. Since 
that year it has been left in the hands of the selectmen to "ex- 
pend the money raised for highways at their descretion. " 

The first road machine was bought in 1883. It was sent first 
on trial, and when one of the selectmen and several assistants 
were testing it on the village street, the dry wit of the town, who 
with others was watching its operations, said, "Oh, they'll buy 
it quick enough if they can ride and do the work, only they'll 
want a big umbrella to keep the sun off, and a place to carry a 
jug of cider. " 

With one exception the town has been very fortunate in free- 
dom from losses by damages caused by defective highways. In 
1815 the town voted Samuel Hall, Jr., $40 for injury to his horse 
on the highway. In 1843 Rev. H. H. Rouse began a suit against 
the town on account of an accident on a road in South Ashfield, 
which lingered in the courts for quite a while but we find no 
account of damage paid, only $61 to Greenfield lawyers for 
"costs in Rouse case." Small sums less than $100 have been 
paid to a few other individuals. 

In August, 1867, as a four-horse coach laden with a pleasure 
party was driving through Baptist Comer, the bridge near where 
Sidney P. Elmer now lives broke down and eight or ten persons 
were precipitated into the stream below. Some were more or 
less injured and claimed damages from the town. Some of the 



114 History of Ashfield 

cases were easily settled, the demands seeming just and reason- 
able, in others they were deemed excessive, and the selectmen 
declined to pay the amounts demanded. The town voted to 
leave the matter to their judgment and discretion. 

According to the reports of the selectmen and treasurer, the 
sums paid for damages in this case were as follows : 



L. Cross, self and horses 


. $100.00 


Cross & Phillips, wagon 


125.00 


H. R. Warriner .... 


. 1,500.00 


" " " for daughter 


500.00 


Mrs. Franklin Howes . 


115.02 


Mrs. Benjamin Andrews (arbitration) 


311.67 


Suit with Franklin Howes . 


4,462.70 


Witness fees, &c . . . 


1,127.77 


Doctors' bills . . . . . 


75.00 


Lawyers in above cases 


. 450.00 


Dyer suit, tried in Boston . 


20,535.84 



$29,303.00 

Other expenses incident to the accident brought the total over 
$30,000. This, coming as it did after the severe expenses of the 
war, was a heavy blow to the town, but by judicious and con- 
servative management the debt was paid in a reasonable time, 
this too, without neglect of public improvements, for which the 
town has alwaj^s shown a fair and liberal spirit. 

THE POST OFFICE AND STAGE ROUTES 

Mail facilities were slow in coming into the country. Up to 
the year 1792, no post office was nearer to Ashfield than the one 
at Springfield. At that date an office was established at North- 
ampton. Several years later the office at Worthington was the 
one nearest to this town. A private weekly post, to carry papers 
between Northampton and Hawley, via Ashfield and Charle- 
mont, was established in 1789. The names of the post-riders 
were: Andrew Wood of Hawley, from 1789 to 1791 and from 
1792 to 1799; Stephen Taylor, 1791; Ethan A. Clary, 1799, 



Roads and Post Offices 115 

1800; Bliss Furbush, 1800-3 (the three last named were of Ash- 
field); Joseph Richardson, 1804-11; Josiah Shaw, Jr., 1811-14. 

Files of the Northampton Gazette from 1800 and later, contain 
advertisements of letters in those post offices for citizens of Ash- 
field. At that time there were about eighteen hundred inhabi- 
tants here and people were obliged to travel eighteen miles to 
get their letters. This state of things continued for over twenty 
years, when in 1814 the government established a post office in 
this town ; the mail being carried from Northampton via Con- 
way, Ashfield and Charlemont, once a week each way. Levi 
Cook, Esq., was the first postmaster here, and kept the office in 
his saddler's shop. The care of the office has remained in his 
family to the present time, with the exception of one or two 
years. After the death of Miss Eliza Jane Cook in 1912, a tablet 
was placed in the town hall in commemoration of the post-office 
service of the Cook family for ninety -five years. 

In March, 1824, the first daily mail was established here; at 
that time a four-horse stage began its trips through Conway, 
Ashfield and Plainfield, as part of a mail route between Boston 
and Albany. 

In his "Church Historical Address," Dr. Shepard says: "We 
received a weekly mail from the east, but when a line of stages 
was set up, bringing us within two days of the capital of the 
state, and delivering the mail on each alternate day, the event 
was hailed as a new era of light. " 

The stage on this mail and passenger line from Boston to 
Alban}^ started from Greenfield at 3 A. M., i;gaching Ashfield 
via Conway between five and six in the morning. It was a lively 
scene when in the early dawn, with the bugle blasts, the four- 
horse coach rolled into the street from the east with its eight or 
ten passengers, pulled up at the hotel to change horses, while 
Esq. Cook hurried to change the mail ; then on through Spruce 
Comer and Plainfield (later via " Uncle Ezra's " and Joy's tavern 
in Hawley) to Bowker's in Savoy, to Adams, and on to Albany, 
where they arrived the next morning at three. 

In these days of steam and electric cars, saying nothing of 
automobiles, this would seem a hard trip, but our hardy ances- 



116 History of Ashfield 

tors regarded it a pleasure. A writer said some years since : "In 
early times the only means of public travel was the stage coach, 
a thing of comfort in its day, sometimes a luxury in travel. Well 
do we remember the time when lines of stages were run between 
important places with their relays of horses between every ten 
or fifteen miles, the tooting horn announcing its approach, the 
jolly passengers who would alight for the noon meal, or to 
stretch their legs up some long hill, then in again to ride on to 
their destination. Say what you will, the old stage coach was 
an institution which, though it has gone, can never be for- 
gotten." 

The early stage drivers were Lucius Paine, Josephus Crafts, 
Uncle Ezra Williams and a Mr. Loud. 

The fare from Greenfield to Albany was at first $3.00. Busi- 
ness was reported good, although there was another line running 
through Charlemont over the Hoosac Mountain. 

The opening of the Connecticut Railroad to South Deerfield 
in 1846, bringing the mail from the east via Springfield, broke 
up the through stage lines and a daily stage was started from 
Ashfield to South Deerfield, taking mail and passengers east and 
south and bringing them to Ashfield, where there was a connec- 
tion with another daily stage running from here through Spruce 
Comer, Plainfield and Savoy. About 1850, Lemuel Cross and 
Allen Phillips commenced on the stage route from here to South 
Deerfield, driving quite a portion of the time a four-horse team. 
Their equipment was a good one, and the stage route of Cross 
and Phillips was very popular. They continued it for about 
twenty years, when they sold out to Frank Warren. E. Pay son 
Eldredge and others had the route for a while. The opening of 
the trolley to Conway discontinued the through route, since 
which it has only been run to Conway. 

The stage over the mountain was run with four horses for a 
time, then with two. Henry Coulliard for Joseph Bement, 
Merritt Stetson and Justus Smith were among the principal 
drivers. The stages each way started out about half past six 
in the morning, and returned about the same time at night. 

The completion of the Troy & Greenfield Railroad to Shel- 



Roads and Post Offices 117 

bume Falls in 1867 opened a new avenue to Boston for both mail 
and passengers. A stage route was soon opened to Shelbume 
Falls, connecting with a mail from Buckland. John Wilde and 
Asa Sanderson ran the route to Shelbume Falls for several years, 
selling out in 1874 to William Deming. About this time a 
through mail route was established to Shelbume Falls, which is 
still continued. After the completion of the trolley to Conway 
it was proposed to have two mails a day from that point, but the 
scheme was thwarted by the friends of the Shelbume Falls stage 
putting in a petition for two mails a day on that route, which 
was granted. "Uncle Bill Deming" was the proprietor and 
popular driver for over thirty years, up to the time of his death. 
Many good stories of Uncle Bill Deming still enliven the long 
stage route from Shelbume Falls to Ashfield. 

The post office in South Ashfield was established about 1866. 
Chandler Ward was the first postmaster, then Charles S. Guil- 
ford, Arthur Harris, Henry Higginbotham, and for the past 
seventeen years, Arthur J. Chapin. In 1888 a post office was 
started in Spruce Comer, and in 1898, the one in Watson. 
Alanson Cole, Frank H. Cook and George A. Thayer have been 
postmasters in Spruce Comer, and B. W. Anderson in Watson. 

In the early days the cost of postage and the distance to a 
post office gave little patronage to Uncle Sam's mail department. 
In 1800, it cost seventeen cents to send a letter to Cape Cod, and 
twenty-five cents to western New York. When it was known 
that a person was going from Ashfield to either of these sections, 
or from there here, he was always made the bearer of many 
letters. One Nathan Crosby, "Old Crosby," as he was called, 
used to make frequent trips to the Cape and carry letters back 
and forth. He was a harmless, good natured old man, a little 
"daft," who charged nothing for his services, but was always 
welcomed and entertained at both ends of his route, as the bearer 
of news from the "Cape" or from the folks "up country." 
Money was not over plentiful, and the story comes down of the 



118 History of Ashfield 

old man who has now many descendants living with us, saying 
to his daughter just after she had married a man who was about 
to emigrate to western New York, "Well, Susy, you are going 
way out into York State to live ; we'd like to hear from you once 
in a while, but don't write too often; you know it costs a good 
deal of monev to send letters." 



CHAPTER VII 

INDUSTRIES, ETC. 

The beginning of the first settlers in agriculture was to raise a 
little com for subsistence and to cut a little wild hay for the 
small amount of stock they had on hand. Of course their stock 
raising progressed slowly. In 1766, over twenty years after the 
town was settled, we find by the census given on another page 
that there were in town 35 oxen, 31 cows, 17 horses, 72 swine 
and 188 sheep. 

The lack of fences made the keeping of stock a difficult matter, 
hence the importance attached to the votes for field drivers and 
hogreeves, also whether "to let the hogs run at large this year. " 
The record of the ear marks for the stock of the different owners 
is begun on the town records in 1765, and continued until 1845. 
In 1767 the mark for stock of Jonathan Lillie was a cross top of 
left ear, slit in same ear and a slit in top of right ear. 1774, 
Chileab Smith, crop of each ear and slit in right. Dea. John 
Bement, a slit under side of left ear. Kimball Howes, a half 
penny upper side of right ear. Ephraim Williams, a swallow 
tail in the end of the left ear and a sloping cross the under side 
of the right ear. Jasher Taylor, a hole in the left ear, and so on, 
no two alike. 

If stock was found running at large and troublesome, the field 
driver or hogreeve was found, and the animal placed in the 
public pound, which was early provided. The ear marks were 
examined, the records consulted if necessary, the owner was 
notified and requested to "pay charges and take away" his 
property. These "pounds" were evidently substantial struc- 
tures. In 1791 it was "Voted: To build a pound 30 feet square, 
7 feet high, to have large posts set in the ground, with a plate on 
the top with rail mortised in said posts — the pound to be sett up 
back of Seth Wait's horse house." (Back of Dr. Urquhart's.) 

Barnabas Howes in his history relates that Jesse Edson, who 
lived in the north part of the town, cut and stacked the hay on a 
meadow in the west part of the town, on the farm where Addison 



120 History of Ashfield 

J. Howes now lives, and in the winter drew it home on a hand 
sled, the distance probably four or five miles, and that Dea. 
John Bement, who settled on the Dr. Murray place, did the same 
from the Knowlton place in the Chapel neighborhood, something 
like one and one-half miles. The meadow on Mr. Howes' farm 
is still called the Edson meadow. Both Bement and Edson were 
here sometime before the Revolution. 

In clearing up the country the settlers raised rye on their new 
land, adding to their com cake rye, making "Rye and Indian" 
bread which was their staple article of diet. People living re- 
member the shoveling of large loaves into the brick or stone oven 
with the long iron slice. Dr. Smith used to tell the story — with 
how much truth we trow not — -of how one housewife with a large 
family of children used the cradle to mix up this bread in, then 
after the loaves were in the oven and the cradle washed, the 
occupant was returned to its former place. 

In the " Grand Valuation List" taken in 1821, only ten of the 
largest farmers each raised 50 bushels of com. These were 
Henry Alden, Cyrus Alden, John Bement, Samuel Elmer, Joseph 
Porter, Roswell Ranney, Ephraim Williams, and Jonathan 
Yeomans, Jr., who raised 50 bushels each, Silas Blake 60, and 
Timothy Catlin 70. Some of the farmers are down for a few 
bushels of r^^e, oats and wheat, no others as high as 50 bushels. 
Apples and potatoes are not considered of enough importance to 
be mentioned, but it is asked how many barrels of cider can be 
made from the farm, and the answers range all the way from 
one to sixty. Potatoes were lightly esteemed as an article of 
diet, and did not come into general use until several years after 
this when the varieties began to improve. In 1840, in an old 
account book, a farmer charges for ten bushels of potatoes 20 
cents per bushel, and for Carter potatoes 33 1-3 cents. So little 
was known of the potato among the early settlers, that one man 
having a few bushels on hand in the spring declared he should 
hold them over until another year, prices were so low. 

Apple orchards were started early, but there was little grafted 
fruit, people depending on the best kinds of common fruit for 
their own use and there was but little sale for apples. Rhode 



Industries, Etc. 121 

Island Greenings, Blue Peannain and Roxbury Russets were 
among the first varieties grafted in. The Baldwin came later. 
Apple Valley was early an apple section. Israel Williams, who 
first lived on the farm now owned by Herbert Clarke, then 
where William and Robert Williams live, raised a great many 
apples. He had a cider mill and two distilleries. His apples 
went into cider, and the cider into brandy. He had large vats 
or hogsheads in his cellar, where his cider was stored. Daniel 
Forbes, the veteran school teacher of ninety terms, mentioned 
elsewhere, lived early at the head of Apple Valle}^ about one 
hundred rods below where John W. Howes now lives and did 
much towards bringing in new varieties of fruit. He did grafting 
for the people and encouraged the farmers' boys to do the work 
themselves and improve their orchards. He was a small man 
with a mild and pleasant manner. There are those living who 
well remember his kind saying, " You can do it yourselves, boys, 
just as well as I can." Posterity today is reaping the profits 
from the thousands of fruit trees which he and his famil}^ started 
and helped to cultivate. 

Anson Goodwin, who lived where Albert Richmond does, 
was a great lover of fruits. His son, Eldad Frank, had a nursery 
for a time. About 1840, the best apples were drawn from here 
to Springfield and sold for $2.00 a barrel. 

The prices for butter and cheese varied. In a store account 
in 1789 between Murray and Bennett and Esq. Williams, 42 
shillings is allowed for one firkin of butter weighing 84 lbs., that 
is — 6 pence or 8 1-3 cents a pound. From this time to 1840, 
butter is quoted from 8 1-3 to 15 cents and cheese from 5 to 10 
cents. The butter was usually sold to the country merchants 
who sent it to Springfield and Boston. It went to those places 
in wagons packed in straw (no ice) drawn by two or four horses. 
After the completion of the railroad to Greenfield and vShel- 
bume Falls, the farmers packed their butter in five and ten 
pound boxes, with their initials on the box and left them with 
the different merchants, to be sent to commission houses in 
Boston, getting their returns once in two weeks. The butter 
was sold on its merits, although it was claimed there were ex- 



122 History of Ashfield 

ceptional cases to this. A farmer carried in his butter to the 
merchant or shipping agent one week with his boxes marked as 
usual with the exception of one box which was marked D. P. 
The agent asked what that meant. The farmer said it meant 
Darned Poor, that his wife had poor luck with that batch and 
he dare not put on his own initials. When the returns came 
back, the D. P. butter was marked higher than his regular 
stamp. At first, the farmers received from 20 to 30 cents, but 
during the last years of the war it went as high as 50 and 60 
cents. This practice was continued into the eighties when 
creameries began to be established. 

The "Grand Valuation" taken by the assessors in 1821, may 
not present the true situation of agriculture at that time. The 
official census taken in 1845, certainly gives a much more en- 
couraging view, although the population was smaller. That 
gives for this town: Number of Horses 188, Value $5,640; Neat 
Cattle 1,457, $15,550; Swine 244, $488; Sheep 7,667, $12,000; 
Bushels of Corn 6,253, $4,689; Wheat 881, $881; Rye 470, 
$352; Oats 2,241, $318; Potatoes 23,452, $3,908; Bushels of 
Apples 6,284, $1,047; Pounds Butter 49,045, $4,904; Cheese 
30,846, $1,388; Maple Sugar, 59,981, $3,598; Pounds Wool, 
21,402, $7,515. 

OLD MILLS AND VARIOUS INDUSTRIES 

The contract with the proprietors and Chileab Smith for 
building the first corn mill in 1743 is still in existence. It was to 
be built on "pond brook, " where in the deep glen at the foot of 
Mill Hill its foundations and one of the old millstones may still 
be seen. Others of the millstones have been drawn up to the 
cemetery and inay be seen on the border of Mrs. Henry Hall's 
lot. This mill was in existence until about 1832. Twenty years 
ago people were living who remembered going there on horse- 
back from distant parts of the town with grain to grind. Lewis 
Foster was one of the later millers. It is said the following verse 
was posted in his mill : 

' ' I would have you know- 
It is a good thing 
To mend well your bags 
And keep a good string." 



Industries, Etc. 123 

Mr. Ranney has noted that Mr. Anson Goodwin told him he 
remembered when there was quite a collection of houses in the 
hollow below where the Whitney summer bungalow now is. 
The main road from Baptist Comer south passed through here. 

As has been noted, the first sawmill was built just below Bear 
River bridge. It seems that the com mill on Pond Brook was 
not satisfactory and needed frequent repairs. In 1752, Chileab 
Smith is directed by Proprietors' vote to put the grist mill in 
order at once and have charge of it for one year. In 1762, from 
the records it seems that Mr. Smith had built a new corn mill 
below the sawmill, so near to it that the pondage injured the 
sawmill, whereupon it was voted that " The said Chileab Smith 
be ordered and directed to remove his corn mill as he would 
avoid what may ensue upon his failure hereof. " Uncle Chileab, 
with his usual adroitness, got out of the difficulty by buying the 
sawmill. The foundation of each of these mills can still be seen, 
and one of the millstones marks the site of the Phillips and Ellis 
fort. A number of years after, there was a saw and shingle mill 
a little further up stream, run first by the Flowers and later by 
the Phillipses. Still higher up stream, just below the "Factory 
Bridge," was a woolen factory which about 1830 was moved 
three-fourths of a mile northward and converted into the two- 
story dwelling house now owned by Dana L. Graves, formerly 
by Roswell L. Church. 

At the upper end of the village, just below where Anton Dige 
lives, was a tannery and shop owned by Asa and L. C. Sanderson 
which was carried away by the freshet of 1878. Below, just back 
of the hotel, was a factory where Col. Nehemiah Hathaway 
made axes in the thirties and was succeeded by Allen Phillips 
in the same business. Then for a number of years Nelson Gard- 
ner had a wood- working factory there, then A. D. Flower bought 
it for a grist mill and did a good business until the freshet swept 
this also away. 

It is believed that Jacob Gardner built the first sawmill in 
South Ashfield. A grist mill and rake factory were afterwards 
added with which Bela Gardner, son of Jacob, had considerable 
to do. Afterwards both passed through various hands. John 



124 History of Ashfield 

Sprague rebuilt the sawmill in a thorough manner, then it was 
run by Levi Gardner and son for a number of years until after 
the death of Mr. Gardner it passed into the hands of C. A. 
Bronson and others and finally burned down in the winter of 
1910. 

The grist mill at the South Ashfield village did a flourishing 
business for about fifty years and was run by Bela Gardner, John 
Ward, Julius Fuller, Zachariah Howes and son, and others. It 
was badly damaged by the freshet in 1878, and in 1879 was 
bought by A. D. Flower and the works were moved to his new 
mill on the Plain, now operated by Geo. W. Cook & Co. 

At an early date there was a saw and grist mill where Blakes- 
lie's mill now is. In the twenties it was taxed to Horatio Bart- 
lett, also to Roswell Ranney. On Esq. Williams' map of the 
survey of the town in 1795 a sawmill is located here. Abner 
Kelley probably bought of Bartlett and had a saw and broom 
handle mill here for some time. In the forties there was a plane 
shop here which employed quite a number of hands. The busi- 
ness was afterwards moved to Conway, then to Greenfield. 
Jasper Bement built the mill now occupied by Walter Guilford 
for a carding and fulling mill. Elijah and Henry Field after- 
wards did carding and fulling business here quite a number of 
years. Samuel Barber had a tannery just back of where Mrs. 
C. F. Howes now lives and Joseph and Henry Barber had wood 
working and other shops above the village. Dorus Graves had 
a carding and fulling mill above the bridge, below Clarence 
Guilford's, for more than forty years. Towards the head of the 
west stream, George Stocking had a tannery where the creamery 
now is. On what are now insignificant streams, mills were made 
to do quite a business a hundred years ago. There were two saw- 
mills owned by the Blakes and others just below the Ludwig 
place, and Joshua Knowlton and Alvan Clark (father of the 
telescope maker) had a grist mill just below Chapel Falls. 

In 1769, the Proprietors voted to give Jonathan Taylor and 
Daniel Williams encouragement to build sawmills. Jonathan 
built his mill below the ' ' Taylor Corners ' ' southwest f roin where 
Fred Kelley lives. 



Industries, Etc. 125 

Daniel Williams, who married a daughter of Capt. Ephraim 
Hunt, was prospecting for his son Ephraim, who brought up his 
mill irons from Easton, and built a mill in the forest at Spruce 
Comer at the comer where the road turns to Watson. This mill 
remained in the Williams family until destroyed by the freshet 
in 1878. The inill now run by George Thayer was formerly 
owned by Amasa Holbrook and Nelson Gardner. There was a 
sawmill for many years just above the bridge about forty rods 
west of the Benjamin Dyer place near Plainfield line. Asa Guil- 
ford early built a mill northeast of Edgar Lesure's. Another 
was built on the same site in 1868 by Oscar Lilly and Elisha 
Howes, which was sold afterwards to William Ford and burned 
about fifteen years since. In the forties, Asa Guilford built and 
run a steam mill just back of where Benjamin Anderson lives. 
For a good many years there was a sawmill half a mile west, 
owned last by Wells Porter. 

About 1835, a mill built by Jonathan Lillie which stood some 
twenty rods north of the Water Company's reservoir above the 
Sullivan place burned down, but another one was soon built 
about seventy-five rods below on the Northwest road. This was 
operated until about 1850 by Elijah Howes, then sold to David 
S. Howes. At quite an early date, Alexander Ward owned a 
sawmill at Howesville, and about 1840 Jonathan Howes built 
another near the present bridge at the lower end of the state 
road. This mill and the Dyer mill at Spruce Comer were both 
built before 1795. A saw and shingle mill owned by Daniel 
Miles and Bethuel Lilly was on the brook east of Fred Lilly's, 
and a sawmill owned by Sears and Eldredge west of Cape Street, 
also a wood-working mill on the cross road from Cape Street to 
Lythia owned by the Seldens and Parkers. 

With the old up-and-down saws 1500 or 2000 feet a day was 
called a big day's work. Two dollars a thousand was had for 
sawing, and in 1845 hemlock lumber sold for S5 or $6 per thou- 
sand. Darius Williams probably put in the first circular saw for 
sawing boards. 

We have now but little idea of the timber growing in our 
primeval forests. Only about sixty years ago four sticks of 



126 History of Ashfield 

spruce timber eighty feet long, squaring one foot at the top, were 
cut from a single lot in the west part of the town (Watson). 
These were for the tower of the Baptist church at Shelburne 
Falls, where they may still be seen. Thousands of broom 
handles were drawn "down the river" and sold for a cent apiece, 
sometimes less. Rolling pins, meat mauls, lather boxes, butter 
paddles, faucets of all sizes and other articles were made in the 
wood-working mills. The manufacture of wooden splints for 
use in limb fractures was carried on in a small way by both 
Henry S. vSmith and Heman S. Day. It is claimed that Mr. 
Smith invented a device which was an improvement and made 
his splints quite popular. 

Sixty years ago there was a manufactory of pottery in vSouth 
Ashfield which did quite a business. 

Shirts, linen bosoms, collars and skirt supporters were "put 
out" by Selden & Perkins and Bement and Bel ding for the 
women of the town to make. The census of 1845 gives $12,000 
worth of linen bosoms and collars made in one year, and $3,000 
worth of braided palm leaf hats. The women of those days 
certainly earned their " pin money. " 

A letter on the products of Ashfield in 1824 gives the value of 
peppermint oil made as over $40,000 yearly. 

Before 1800, the Bennetts made wool hats on the Plain and 
there were others in the same business between that time and 
1821. 

At an early date sand paper was made in Apple Valley where 
Will Willis now lives, getting the sand from the bank opposite. 

Besides those industries that have been mentioned there were 
several small tanneries and many shoemakers and "cord- 
wainers" named in old records, scattered about town. 

In 1878, Ellsworth & Bradford started a cheese factory on 
the Kimball Howes place now occupied by Wm. H. Howes in 
Watson, taking the milk produced in that part of the town. 
After running one season the enterprise was abandoned. 

In 1880, the Ashfield Cooperative Creamery Association was 
formed, which has had a good degree of prosperity. Some $5,000 
has been expended on its plant and the present output of butter 



Industries, Etc. 127 

is about 150,000 pounds a year. A. D. Flower was the first 
President, succeeded by Walter G. Lesure until 1895, and by 
Sanford H. Boice since that time. Charles A. Hall was the first 
secretary and treasurer, then C. H. Wilcox, A. D. Flower, and 
John M. vSears since 1895. D. B. Dunham, Geo. G. Henry and 
W. R. Hunter have been superintendents and butter makers. 

Thayer & Hannon started the manufacture of wooden 
handles and so forth on "Centre Hill" about ten years ago and 
by industry and square dealing have built up quite a business. 
They use from 200,000 to 300,000 feet of lumber and their 
yearly output of goods is some $15,000 worth. 

George Thayer of Spruce Comer also does something in the 
wood-working line and last year made 18,000 apple barrels, 
selling for about $6,000. 

STORES 

With the data in our possession it would be a difficult matter 
to inention all the stores that have existed in town. Gad Wait 
had a store here at an early date. Capt. Selah Norton evidently 
built a house and opened a store on the comer where Mrs. Rosa 
Ranney now lives, in 1793. The Bennetts also had a store and 
hat shop in Ashfield about that time. Abraham and David 
White bought of Zachariah Field in 1808 the building now owned 
by Alvah Howes and had a store there until 1816 when they 
sold out to John Williams, Jr., from Goshen. Mr. Williams did 
a large business. He had also a " Potash, " located just back of 
where Dr. Fessenden's office now is, where he manufactured the 
article. He used to send a team to the outlying towns and 
gather up the ashes, paying for them from a few goods carried 
in his wagon, sometimes going as far as Savoy. He kept up the 
potash business until about 1840. One of the large kettles used 
in its manufacture is now in the possession of Mr. William Gray. 
It measures about four feet in diameter across the top. Mr. 
Williams sold the building about 1838, and opened a store in the 
rear of the house where Mrs. Alvan Hall now resides. 

Selah Norton sold out his store in 1815, and it was owned by 
various parties until 1826, when it was bought by Samuel W. 
Hall who was a prosperous trader there for over twent}^ -five years. 



128 History of Ashfield 

About 1830, Alvan Hall occupied and probably built a large 
store five or six rods north of the Alvah Howes house. Jasper 
Bement afterwards bought the store and from here large num- 
bers of Ashfield peddlers were fitted out with their trunk of 
Yankee notions and basket of essences. Later it was moved to 
its present location (the Rice meat market) where Joseph 
Bement, son of Jasper, continued in the same business. Moses 
Cook succeeded him, then Flower Brothers, afterwards Church & 
Wait, then Asa G. Wait who sold to Henry Higginbotham & Co. 
in 1905, the last occupants as merchants. They sold the build- 
ing to Rice Brothers in 1908. 

The building on the other corner, opposite the Episcopal 
church, was also quite a trading place. John Hart had a store 
there in the thirties. Cook & Ranney from 1842 to 1847. Later, 
Hall & Ranney, also Alvan Perry, traded in the same place. 
Josephus Crafts had a store in town as carh^ as 1835 and was 
succeeded by his brother, Albert W., in 1847, who still remains 
on the same corner in a store much enlarged and iinproved under 
the firm name of A. W. Crafts & Sons. 

Almon Bronson built the store now occupied by Mr. Henry in 
1858 and continued in trade there until about 1878, when on 
account of poor health he sold to his brother, Chester A. Bron- 
son, who sold to Samuel T. Mather in 1887, who sold to George 
Henry in 1910. 

In the twenties, a man named Cooley had a store in South 
Ashfield, followed by Major Dana, Charles Reed, Gardner & 
Guilford. About 1853 a cooperative store was established there 
conducted by Foster R. King. Afterward came Chandler A. 
Ward, then Henry Higginbotham who sold to Arthur A. Chapin, 
the present occupant. Mr. Orcutt of Conway had a store there 
for a time. A. 0. & T. L. Perkins had a store on the opposite 
comer, occupied later by Perkins & Selden who used to "put 
out" linen collars for the ladies to make. James Barrus had a 
store there for a short time which was burned in the spring of 
1893. 

Besides those mentioned, there were others in town whose 
names appear in the advertisements of the Hampshire Gazette. 



Industries, Etc. 129 

There were small stores in different parts of the town. One was 
in Spruce Corner. Captain Warner had one in Steady Lane 
and Mr. George Howes notes that there was a store in Watson, 
across the road from where W. E. Ford now lives, kept by Jonah 
Fuller. 

Prices charged in John Williams' account book from 1816 to 
1820: Y2 lb. tea, 71 cts. 2 qts. rum, 67 cts. 1 mug sling, 25cts. 
Yi yd. cambrick, 60 cts. 2 lbs. sugar, 60 cts. 2 lbs. raisins, 40 cts. 
1 lb. nails, 17 cts. 1 handkerchief, $1.17. 1 warming pan, $3.21. 
1 paper pins, 20 cts. 1 peck coarse salt, 38 cts. 4 pairs black 
cotton stockings, $4.50. 1 gal. molasses, $1.20. 13^ mug sling, 
37 cts. To transport of 165 lbs. from Boston at $1.25 per cwt., 
$2.06. 6 yds. calico, $2.88. Brandy and egg, 13 cts. 

Farmers were credited for cheese 8 to 10 cts., butter 10 to 20 
cts., oats 50 cts., rye $1.00, beef ^Yi cts., turkeys, 6 cts. 

TAVERNS 

The first house of public entertainment in the town is believed 
to have been kept by Joseph Mitchell, as early as 1763, on the 
east side of Bellows Hill, above the Jesse Hall place in Belden- 
ville. The first precinct meetings of Ashfield were held there. 
There is a tradition believed to be true, that the old Dea. Ziba 
Smith house north of Asa Wait's is the Mitchell tavern removed 
to that spot. Timothy Perkins had one on the Plain on or near 
the site of the present hotel in 1773, and perhaps earlier. Capt. 
Moses Fuller kept one in a two-story house which stood nearly 
on the site of the house now owned by Mrs. Curtis as early as 
1767, and probably until his death in 1794. Captain Fuller 
owned considerable land about the village. A tavern was kept 
where Dr. Urquhart now resides, in the latter part of the eight- 
eenth century, by Seth Wait. Zachariah Field built the house — or 
a part of it — now occupied by Alvah W. Howes, in 1792, and kept 
a tavern and store there until 1808. He was then succeeded by 
A. and D. White, who had a store in the same building. John 
Williams followed next, in the same place and business, in the 
year 1816, and was succeeded by Harrison Foote, about the 
year 1838, who kept it until about 1846. Others have been kept 



130 ' History of Ashfield 

in different sections of the town. Chileab Smith is said to have 
kept one north of Asa Wait's, and there was one for a time on 
the east side of Ridge Hill near Walter Lesure's pasture on the 
old road to Buckland. There was one in Spmce Comer kept by 
Asa Newton, afterwards by the Bonds. About 1820, Whiting 
Kellogg had one in South Ashfield, — in the house fonnerl}^ owned 
by Nathan Sears. Russell Bement had one where Henry Pease 
now lives. George Barrus kept a tavern in the house now owned 
by Walter Shaw, from about 1820 to 1838. There was a hall in 
the upper story where dances, singing schools, etc., were held. 
Ezra Williams had a tavern in the northwest part of the 
town for about twenty-five years, which was quite a popular 
resort. The building was last owned by T. P. Smith, and burned 
in 1896. 

Lyman Cross opened a tavern in 1830 where Mr. Porter's hotel 
now is. He was by trade a cooper, and for a time served the 
public with good tubs and firkins as well as lodging and enter- 
tainment. Back in the thirties and before, there was a good deal 
of travel. One of the stage lines was from Albany to Boston; 
and farm produce going in and supplies coming out made lively 
business on the main highways. Mr. Zebulon B. Taylor said 
that he remembered when a boy of counting twenty loads of 
pork in one day passing through the northwest part of the town 
on the way to Boston. All this made stirring times for the 
hotels, which were well patronized. The Cross Hotel won a good 
name which it has alwa3^s retained. 

Professor Norton in an account of his first visit to Ashfield 
speaks of alighting at ' ' the modest little hotel where we par- 
took of an excellent dinner. " 

The hall in the second story was occupied for balls, small 
court hearings, etc. "The Know Nothings" at first held their 
meetings there. Mr. Cross retired and sold to his son Lemuel 
in 1859 who conducted it until about 1868, when Allen Phillips, 
who had married a daughter of Mr. Cross, bought and run the 
hotel until about 1880, when he sold to Henry Coulliard who 
sold it to the present proprietor, Lewis Porter, in 1882. 
With the increasing popularity of Ashfield as a summer resort. 



Industries, Etc. 131 

Mr. Porter finding liis quarters too small to meet the public 
demand, in 1889 enlarged his house to nearly its present 
capacity. 

ASHFIELD ADVERTISEMENTS IN HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE 

In 1793, Selah Norton advertises "all sorts of dry goods, also 
Old Jamaica Spirits, New England Rum, French Brandy &c. 
Will pay 8 pence per pound for butter, part cash. " 

Selah Norton had a store for many years in the house where 
Mrs. Rosa Ranney now lives. 

July 2, 1793. The partnership of Murray and Bennett is 
this day mutually dissolved. All persons indebted to said Part- 
nership are desired to settle their accounts with the said Murray 
only who will attend said business on the 15th, 16th and 30th 
of July and the 13th and 20th of August at his store in Ashfield. 
Those who do not comply with this invitation will be at the 
expense of going out of town and settling with an Attorney. 

Murray & Bennett. 

It is thought this store was at South Ashfield near where 
Charles Day's shop is. 

In 1813, Enos Pomeroy of Buckland calls on his customers in 
Ashfield and Buckland "to call and settle the 1st of Oct. or you 
may be expected to be called upon in a more disagreeable way. ' ' 

In 1803, "Dorus Graves of Ashfield still carries on the clo- 
thier's business as usual. All commands in that line will be 
faithfully attended to. " His shop was by the bridge just below 
where the road turns up towards Mrs. Underhill's place. 

April, 1804, "Heman Graves has lately set up the Hatting 
business in Ashfield. He has a quantity of Hatts of all kinds 
which he offers for sale on the lowest terms for cash or most 
kinds of country produce." 

Merchants seem to multiply in town, for in 1805 Joshua 
Phillips advertises dry goods and so forth, and Windsor Smith 
and Samuel D. Ward advertise a new store. 

In 1803, Zachariah Field advertises "large house, store and 
1 acre of land." This was the Ranney block, where Alvah 
Howes now lives. 



132 History of Ashfield 

In August, 1804, D. and A. White advertise for "their stores 
in Ashfield and Buckland." They had bought the Field 
property. 

In 1805, Dorus Graves warns his patrons if they don't call 
and settle he will make them do it in a way not agreeable. 

In 1806, Eliakim Lilly and Jonathan Lilly, Jr., delivered 
Hampshire Gazettes to subscribers. 

In 1811, Dorus Graves advertises new works. "All kinds of 
produce taken in payment." 

Proclamation 

To the men of Hatfield, Whately, Conway, Ashfield, Plain- 
field and Cummington, who are indebted to me for the Hamp- 
shire Gazette. For 12 months you have seen me labpring for 
you through heat and cold to furnish you with the news of all 
nations, therefore I invite every one of you to pay me imme- 
diately. Come on then in companies, half companies and singly ; 
and I will receive what is due me with grateful heart. It is in 
your power to retrieve the debt I have contracted in your behalf 
that I inay carry on my business with pleasure. 

Josiah Shaw. 

In 1827, S. W. Hall advertises store in Ashfield, also J. C. 
Baldwin & Co. and John Williams, Mr. Hall's store in Mrs. 
Ranney's house, Mr. Williams' in Ranney block. 

THE ASHFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY 

The Ashfield Mutual Fire Insurance Company was first 
organized in 1854, but was not incorporated under Massachu- 
setts laws until 1873. Its rates were low, being one-fourth of 
one per cent, and a 3 per cent, premium note; this up to 1876, 
when the cash premium was raised to one-half of one per cent. 
If a man was insured for SI, 000 he paid in $5 cash and gave a 
note for S30. At the legal organization of the company, over 
$57,000 of insurance was pledged, mainly the best risks of 
the town. Under the old organization and up to 1876 there 
were very few fires and the insurance had cost the patrons but 
little. But soon the compan}^ met with the following losses : 



Industries, Etc. 133 

May 20, 1875, David Vincent's buildings were burned, loss 
$600; June 21, 1877, Joshua Hall's bam and contents, loss 
about $500; July 25, 1877, Joseph Keach's buildings, loss $540; 
July, 1878, the bam of Ruel Pease was burned by lightning, 
loss to the company about $1,500. 

These losses made an assessment necessary, which had a dis- 
piriting effect upon the company. Before the assessment, the 
amount of property insured had been over $100,000, but at the 
close of 1879 by the expiration and surrendering of policies it 
was reduced to $35,488. The company slowly rallied, its old 
friends remaining loyal. In 1884, there was over $45,000 in- 
surance and at the close of 1896, $55,089 of risks with $657.20 
in cash and $1,681 in premium notes. In 1895, John Spath had 
been paid $495 for a loss, and in the winter of 1897, $600 was 
paid G. Stanley Hall for the loss of his house by fire, leaving only 
$57.20 cash assets for the company. A late act of the legislature 
and the opinion of the Insurance Commissioner caused the 
following record in the secretary's book: 

The directors of the Ashfield Mutual Fire Insurance Co. 
met on call of the Secretary and voted to cancel all existing 
policies, and to make a dividend of the assets among the policy 
holders. 

This was done by reason of adverse legislation, a law having 
been passed requiring all fire insurance companies to possess an 
amount of capital which our company did not have and could 
not raise. It imposed a penalty on the company for each policy 
issued and made the directors personally liable in case of loss. 

The company was in existence over forty years, paid all its 
losses promptly and its officers served faithfiilly without salary. 
H. S. Ranney and Charles Howes as Presidents, Levi Gardner 
as Treasurer, with Almon E. Bronson and Asa G. Wait as Secre- 
taries were the principal officers. The company served its 
patrons well, for even with the assessments the cost of insurance 
was not very heavy for those who remained. But it was never 
a very substantial company. Mrs. Curtis' buildings were in- 
sured for $2,000 and had the company remained the same 
financially it would have been made bankrupt by this loss. 



134 History of Ashfield 

FIRES 

Besides those mentioned in the sketch of the local insurance 
company some of the fires have been as follows: In 1828, the 
house of Nathan Wood, which stood where the Ludwig cottage 
now is on Briar Hill, was burned. About 1835, a sawmill near 
the water company's upper reservoir. About 1874, Merritt 
Jenkins' buildings in New Boston, nearly opposite where Fred. 
Lilly now lives. In 1885, the Darius Williams' buildings in 
Spruce Comer. In 1887, dwelling of Ezra Howes in Spruce 
Corner, loss $625, insured for $500. In 1888, the shop of C. H. 
Day in South Ashfield, loss about $600, no insurance. October 
11, 1889, Murray J. Guilford, house, bam and contents, loss 
estimated about $4,000, insurance received $2,300. 1892, saw- 
mill and contents belonging to W. E. Ford, loss $2,000, no in- 
surance. April, 1893, James L. Barms' store at South Ashfield. 
November 16, 1893, house, barn and contents owned by James 
L. Barrus, loss estimated $3,500, insurance received $2,440. 
1901, house, bam and contents belonging to Mrs. G. W. Curtis; 
this was the only fire of any iinportance in the village for over 
a hundred years. In 1910, house and furniture of Mrs. E. P. 
Williams, loss $3,000, insurance $1,600. 

ASHFIELD W.\TER COMPANY 

The Ashfield Water Company was formed in 1893. About 
$15,000 was raised of which Mr. M. M. Belding took about 
one-third the stock, while Mrs. Curtis, Professor Norton and Mr. 
Farragut subscribed liberally, citizens of the village contributing 
smaller sums. Different sites for a water supply were examined, 
until finally, with the advice of the State Board of Health, the 
brook on the Watson road was chosen as a source of supply, the 
distance being over two miles. The work was finished the next 
season and water brought to the village. The system has a fall 
of over two hundred feet and a pressure of one hundred and 
eight pounds to the square inch, giving excellent fire protection 
to the village and a good supply of pure water to those families 
who choose to avail themselves of it. Lest the supply might at 
some time become short, in 1909 the old mill pond consisting of 
about one and three-fourths acres was thoroughly cleansed of 



Industries, Etc. 135 

old vegetable matter and a cement dam built, making an ex- 
cellent reservoir. The coinpany is well organized, with A. D. 
Daniels President and C. H. Wilder Secretary. The Ashfield 
Fire and Hose Company has well equipped apparatus with 
eight hundred feet of hose ready for use and a snug little building 
for storage purposes and office use. W. J. Van Ness is chief and 
A. W. Crafts, Jr., secretary and treasurer. 

RAILROAD ASPIRATIONS 

In 1848, Samuel W. Hall, then a representative in the legis- 
lature, in a letter to his son Henry speaks of the agitation for a 
railroad route and wants an expression of the feeling in Ashfield 
in regard to it. In March, 1849, it was voted that "Sanford 
Boice and William Bassett be a committee to petition the Legis- 
lature to allow the Troy and Greenfield R. R. to amend their 
charter so as to include Ashfield and Plainfield in their route. " 

A survey was made that season, entering the town from Con- 
way near where Sanford Boice now lives, up the stream just 
north of the village, thence westerly by the Bassett Four Corners 
and near the Sullivan place through the Northwest district 
into the towns of Hawley and Savoy, thence to North Adams. 
Hopes ran high that ere long smoking locomotives with long 
trains of cars would soon be running through the town. But 
they were doomed to disappointment, for it was found that 
while the grade up the eastern incline was no greater than some 
on the Boston & Albany road, the descent from the summit of 
the watershed in Savoy down to North Adams was so heavy as 
to render the route impracticable. In his letter, Mr. Hall 
speaks of favoring the route "nature made." It was finally 
decided that this was up the Deerfield Valley, provided that 
man would bore the Hoosac A-lountain. 

At a meeting held November 5, 1867, it was "Voted to raise 
$1000 to cause a survey to be made for a Railroad connecting 
with the North Adams and Williamsburg road at a point be- 
tween Skinnerville and Cummington to a point on the Troy and 
Greenfield Railroad, near the mouth of Bear River in Conway, 
or between Shelbume Falls and the mouth of South River." 



136 History of Ashfield 

The main route contemplated was to come into town from 
Williamsburg by South Ashfield and then through "Pogue's 
Hole " just west of Mt. Owen and follow Bear River Valley down 
to the Troy and Greenfield Railroad. Another route was to leave 
the contemplated railroad at Goshen, come through Cape Street 
to the village, then by Buckland to Shelbume Falls. 

A note inserted below the record of the vote says, "It was 
found the vote was not binding so a tax was not assessed. " The 
Skinnerville, Cummington and North Adams railroad got no 
farther than Williamsburg. 

To get from Ashfield to Shelbume Falls it was proposed to 
pass out through the valley by Charles Richmond's, then wind 
around the westerly side of Ridge Hill by an easy descent, 
reaching the valley about two miles this side of Shelbume Falls. 

The town was first put in electric communication with the 
world in 1883, the telegraph being completed to Ashfield that 
year. 



CHAPTER VIII 

SURVEYS OF THE TOWN GENERAL TOPOGRAPHY, ETC. 

There have been two surveys of the town made by vote, the 
first in 1794 by Esq. Williams and Roland Sears, a committee 
chosen for that purpose. A plan of this survey was carefully 
preserved by Mr. Ranney. In May, 1830, it was voted "To 
choose a committee to take a survey of the town, or hire it done 
by the day or job as they think proper. " This survey was made 
by Le\d Leonard and a plan made two feet square, giving boun- 
daries, streams, roads, schoolhouses, mills and so on. This plan 
was found a few years ago at Isaac Bassett's, among the papers 
of his grandfather, Henry Bassett, Esq. By request of Mr. 
Bowker, County Register of Deeds, it was sent to his office, 
where a blue print copy was taken to go on file there, and 
through the courtesy of Mr. Bowker a few extra copies were 
sent with the original back to Ashfield, where they may be seen 
at the clerk's office. The first survey reads, "Pursuant to an 
act of the General Court passed June, 1794, the following is a 
Plan of Ashfield taken in Nov. 1794, and in May 1795. The 
distance from the State House in Boston to the Centre of Ash- 
field is computed at 120 miles and from the Court House in 
Northampton at 18 miles. 

E. Williams Committee 

of 
R. Sears Ashfield." 

The plan of the second survey reads as follows: "Ashfield, 
Dec. 21, 1830. This town is plotted by a scale of 100 rods to an 
inch. It is 110 miles from Boston and 17 miles from Greenfield 
this town is hilly, the highest is 40 rods, between the roads are 
hills 

Levi Leonard surveyor" 

As the boundary lines of the town are important, and as these 
are the only full surveys ever made since the configuration of the 
town about 1765, it may be well to record them here. It is evi- 
dent that Esq. Williams allowed more for "sag of chain, " as his 



138 History of Ashfield 

distances are generally shorter. With the exception of the 
Goshen boundary, the lines run in 1794 were the same as in 
1830, and as now existing. 

Beginning at the southeast corner of the town, at a point 
where there is now a light gray stone that stands in a pasture on 
the side hill about forty rods westerly from the road to Williams- 
burg, and in sight from the road, they ran the Conway line as 
follows : 

Esq. WilHams, North 173/9° East 2163 rods, 

Mr. Leonard, North 20° East, 2220 rods, 
to the northeast comer of the town, now marked by a black 
stone standing on the south side of the road about one hundred 
rods beyond Sidney P. Elmer's house. Then turning to the 
westward on the line next to Conway and Buckland, they made 

Esq. WilHams, West 153/2° North, 643 rods, 

Mr. Leonard, 17° North, 674 rods, 
to a comer now marked by a stone about sixty rods north of the 
Higgins Brothers' house, and a short distance below their new 
road. Then following on Buckland and Hawley line, 

Esq. Williams, West 43^° South 1614 rods, 

Mr. Leonard, West 3° South 1727 rods, 
to the northwest corner of the town, about half a mile south of 
the Hawley church where is now a stone monument beside the 
road marked "Ashfield Corner." Then turning southerly on 
Hawley and Plainfield line, 

Esq. Williams, South 63^^° West 514 rods, 

Mr. Leonard, South 6° West 529 rods, 
to a point where is now a stone in the woods south of the Camp- 
bell & Bissell saw mill, then 

Esq. Williams, South 13-^° East 127 rods, 

Mr. Leonard, South 122 rods, 
to a stone in a swamp, then 

Esq. Williams, East 1734^ South 83 rods, 

Mr. Leonard, East 19° South 85 rods, 
to a stone about six rods west of the brook, then 

Esq. Williams, South 173^° West 383 rods, 

Mr. Leonard, South 19° West 401 rods, 
to a point westerly of the Leander Hill place. From here to 
Ashfield southwest comer the line was called by 

Esq. Williams, South l}/^° East 489 rods, 

Mr. Leonard, South 13^° East 517 rods, 
this to the comer in Cummington line. 



Topography of the Town 139 

The line from this comer to the place of beginning is of course 
next to Cummington and Goshen and was run out by the com- 
mittee at this time, but it seems that it was not satisfactory, for 
the matter coming up in town meeting in 1796, it was voted to 
make the boundary next to Goshen a straight line from the 
southeast comer of Ashfield to Cummington comer. But it 
seems that this did not satisfy, for in 1797 at a meeting in Janu- 
ary, Ephraim Williams was chosen a committee "to settle the 
line bet-ween this town and Goshen. " It appears that the matter 
was not so easily settled, for after a good deal of discussion and 
bickering, it was left to three referees, each from outside the two 
towns. The line decided upon, as given in the Leonard plan of 
1830, is as follows: Beginning at the southwest comer of the 
town and running East 223^2° South 295 rods to Cummington 
comer, then on same course 410 rods to a stone in "Cushman's 
meadow" westerly of Willis Sears' house, then North 12° East 
14 rods, then East 20i^° South 980 rods to a stone in the south- 
erly part of Briar Hill, then South 173^° West 28 rods, then East 
22° South 167 rods to the southeast comer of the town. 

It will be seen that with the exception of the two jogs, one 
of fourteen, the other of twenty-eight rods, this is a straight 
line. Why these jogs were made, we cannot learn with certainty. 
The fact that some of the Ashfield lots had been laid over the line 
into the town of Goshen may have had something to do with it. 
It seems that Ashfield was not satisfied with the line established, 
for an effort was made to have the decision of the referees set 
aside by the court, this town evidently preferring the straight line. 

All the thirteen comers of the town are marked by stone 
monuments, required by law to be four feet high, and the select- 
men are obliged to "perambulate" the lines once in five years 
and see that these monuments are intact. In 1859, the monu- 
ment in the north part of the town was missing, and after a 
search, was found by the aid of a compass, lying on the ground 
thickly covered with decayed leaves, having probably been 
undisturbed for a dozen years or more. 

The question is raised by Mr. Barnabas Howes whether Mary 
Lyon was not bom in Ashfield. Mary Lyon was born February 



140 History of Ashfield 

28, 1797. The Ashfield fine was surveyed by the Esq. WilHams 
committee two years before, and leaves the Mary Lyon place 
about half a mile north of the line in the town of Buckland. It is 
true, as Mr. Howes observes, that in the second division of lots 
in 1761, a portion of lot No. 46 (not 26) was laid over into the 
town of Buckland very near to the Mary Lyon place, as can be 
seen by the plan, but soon afterwards those who drew this lot 
and a few others were allowed land in other sections to re- 
imburse them. If we cannot claim Ashfield as the birthplace 
of Miss Lyon, we are certainly entitled to the credit of giving 
her a good part of her education. 

The northwest comer of Conway next to Ashfield is on the 
side hill about half a mile north of Sidney P. Elmer's house. 
The southeast comer of Hawley is on the northeast comer of the 
woods on Ashfield line about one-fourth of a mile west of the 
Sears or Dr. May place. The Buckland line runs through a 
comer of the Wood house at Buckland Four Comers. The 
Conway line passes directly through the summit of Mt. Owen. 
Ashfield is located Longitude 70° 50' West from Greenwich, the 
line passing north and south near the houses of J. W. Howes, A. 
J. Howes, and Harry Shippee. It is 42}/^° North Latitude, the 
one-half degree line passing near Wells Taylor's, C. Benjamin 
Sears', the Town Farm and George Chapin's. According to 
a topographical survey of the town in 1885 the height of the 
village above the level of the sea is 1,240 feet. The highest land 
in town is Peter Hill, 1,840 feet; the lowest land at Buckland 
Four Corners, 700 feet; at the house of Jerome Kendrick, 740 
feet; at the house of Willis Burnett at Conway line about the 
same. The height of Spruce Comer bridge is 1,330 feet, of 
Watson schoolhouse 1,540. Some of the highest houses in town 
are J. R. Smith house at the Ezra Williams Comer, 1,740 feet; 
Addison J. Howes, 1,720; E. Wing, 1,730; Henry Taylor, 
1,600; Alvan Cross, about 1,500. 

The elevation of the hill east of C. Benjamin Sears' is 1,776 
feet, hence its name, "Seventy-Six." South Ashfield village is 
placed at 1,000. 

The view from Peter Hill on a clear day well repays a visit. 
To the southwest the eye meets first the Cape Street hill "Sev- 



Topography of the Town 141 

enty-Six, " and Mere's Hill in Goshen, then farther two conical 
peaks in Blandford and Chester, also with a glass the villages of 
Chesterfield, Worthington, Chester and the Highland Fair 
Ground buildings in Middlefield. A little more to the west may 
be seen the birthplace of William Cullen Bryant, a little more to 
the right French Hill in Peru, also the church there. Farther 
towards the northwest comes Greylock Mountain, 3,600 feet 
high, the highest in the state; a little to the right, Parker's Hill 
in Hawley, the highest land in the county; beyond, the Hoosac 
Range over the Hoosac Tunnel; then to the north, Adams 
Mountain in Rowe near the Davis mine ; farther on, in the state 
of Vermont, Haystack Mountain just west of Wilmington; just 
be3^ond that slightly to the right, Stratton Mountain. Then 
the eye sweeping over Mt. Pocumtuck in Heath, also Colrain, 
the hills in Halifax, Vemiont, and Buckland Valley, we come to 
Mt. Massaemet in Shelbume with its new Merrill tower. Beyond 
that, nearly in the same direction comes Mt. Grace in Warwick, 
and still further on in southern New Hampshire looms up grand 
old Monadnock. On a clear day the hotel or half-way house 
this side of the mountain can be plainly seen, also probably Kear- 
sarge Mountain, north of Monadnock. To the east can be seen 
the Montague Plain with the smoke of the engines coming out 
of Miller's Falls on the Fitchburg road or turning south on the 
New London road. Deerfield Mountain stretches from north 
to south beyond Deerfield, tenninating with Sugar Loaf, while 
just beyond is Mt. Toby. In the east, sixty miles away, is the 
rounded top of Wachusett. 

The east end of the Holyoke Range can be seen in the south- 
east, but Mts. Holyoke and Tom are hidden by "High Ridge" 
in Williamsburg. Dr. G. Stanley Hall is very much attached to 
Peter Hill and is sure to make it one or more visits every time 
he is in town. He has bought the pasture on the west side 
reaching to the summit, while Professor Norton owned the east 
side to the summit. 

The hill can be reached easily on foot by those who are good 
climbers with "good wind." Some twenty years ago. Dr. Hall 
made the trip from the hotel to the top and back in forty minutes. 



142 . History of Ashfield 

Ashfield is described in a magazine article as a "town with 
fine drives full of pleasant surprises. " A favorite drive is from 
the village up past the Sullivan place and "Little Switzerland, " 
on the Watson road past the reservoir through "Bear Swamp, " 
then, turning to the left, return over "Bug Hill" just before 
sunset. Of one of the views on this drive, Mr. Curtis said in one 
of his October lectures here, "The Vale of Tempe in all its beauty 
was not fairer than the Buckland Valley is today. " 

Another good trip is over Briar Hill, around past Chapel 
Falls and home through South Ashfield. 

A place little known, but worthy of a visit for those who like 
a novelty and a good tramp, is the Old Bear's den in the pasture 
of Williams and Bates. Materials for a light should be carried 
that the cave may be explored. 

The story of the origin of the name "Peter Hill" may as well 
be told here. 

Peter Guinea, or Peter Wells was bom in Guinea, Africa, and 
taken by a slave trader from there when about seven years old. 
He was held a slave in Connecticut and belonged to Dr. Bart- 
lett's father. He married "Sue." At that time, slaves were 
uncertain property. Peter asked Sue's master what he would 
take for her. The master says, "You can take her and pay me 
what 3^ou are a mind to, something to answer the law. " Peter 
took her and paid two coppers. In a short time they ran away 
and followed Dr. Bartlett to Ashfield. They lived in a cabin 
where Chester Bronson's house now stands. Sue was a good 
cook and a great scold. She would say of Peter, "Poor cretur, 
without a head." When soundly berated, Peter would some- 
times say, "I didn't give but two coppers for ye, and ye ain't 
wuth that." Sue did service for her neighbors, raised nice 
garden seeds to give them, and made gingerbread for public 
occasions. Uncle Alvan Hall, when nearly a centenarian, used 
to say, "I've eaten Sue's gingerbread at trainings, and I tell you 
it was good, too. " Peter tilled the lot on the hill which after- 
wards bore his name and lived a simple, honest life. One fall, 
hay being scarce, Esq. White advised him to sell his steers; so 
he proposed to Dr. Smith to buy them. On being asked the 



Topography of the Town 143 

price he said, "Esq. White says they are worth S60, but thinks 
I'd better sell 'em for $50 than keep 'em. " The doctor got the 
steers for $50. 

When Peter was old, he became a town charge and was taken 
care of for a number of years by George Stocking's father who 
took his hill lot in payment. This lot was sold by Mr. Stocking 
to Jehiel Perkins who called it his "Peter," hence the name, 
"Peter Hill." Afterwards, Peter lived with Israel WilHams, 
who had charge of the town poor, living where W. S. Williams 
does. Here, deeply bowed with his 95 years and troubled life, he 
died and was buried as noted elsewhere in the lone Northwest 
cemetery. 

In the extreme southwest comer of the hill cemetery in a 
cluster of unmarked graves, lie his family. Only one small stone 
shows their resting place, this of a daughter, which is marked, 

(Sally Wells d. 1821 ag^ 37.) 

The sweet remembrance of the just 
Shall flourish, tho' they sleep in dust. 

DIVISION or LOTS 

The manner in which the first division of lots was made is 
given in Chapter I. A second division was made of one hundred 
acres each in 1761. A large portion of these lots was laid out in 
South Ashfield, the rest were scattered. Between this time and 
1800, three more divisions were laid out — the third of one hun- 
dred, the fourth and fifth of fifty acres each. The third division 
was mainly in the south and southwest part of the town, the 
fourth mostly in the northwest part, and the fifth over the town 
to fill up vacant places that were left. These irregular gores and 
the four-rod roads left between the lots have made man}^ dis- 
putes between landholders, and some serious neighborhood 
quarrels. 

Some thirty-five years ago a map was made about two feet 
square showing these three hundred and fifteen lots, five divi- 
sions of sixty-three lots each. This was deposited in the town 
clerk's office and cared for by Mr. Ranney. Later, our County 
Register hearing of its existence had it sent to the ofhce, a 
number of blue prints made from it, one retained in the ofifice 



144 History of Ashfield 

there, and several sent back for the use of the town. One is now 
in a frame in the selectmen's office and several are held by dif- 
ferent individuals. This map has been found useful in tracing 
out lines where old deeds have to be consulted. Of course, the 
variation of the compass and other matters must be taken into 
consideration. It will be noticed that instead of laying out the 
first lots due north and south as is now done in government 
surveys, they were twenty degrees from the magnetic meridian. 
This was probably done to correspond with the east line of the 
town which was known to run in that direction. In the north- 
west part of the town they were laid out eight degrees from 
the meridian. In the plan it is seen that in some instances the 
lots are laid over on to each other. When we consider that the 
land was all forest, the divisions sometimes twenty or thirty 
years apart, and the work done by different men, this was not 
strange. 

According to provisions of the grant, in each of the five 
divisions of the sixty-three lots there must be "One for the 
Minister, one for the Ministry, and one for the School. " This, 
of course, would locate them in different parts of the town, and 
the early claim of each of the two religious societies to the 
ministerial lands was the main cause of the dissensions between 
them. In 1820, a committee chosen to investigate the matter, 
reported that these lands belonged to no particular sect, but to 
the town. The ministerial lots were soon after sold by the town 
to different individuals. 

Like the ministerial, the five school lots were in different parts 
of the town. In the first division the school lot was No. 54 on 
the hill south of the village, in the second division it was No. 1 
south and west of Blakeslee's mill, in the third northerly from 
F. H. Smith's farm, in the fourth and fifth divisions, in the 
northwest part of the town. In 1880 all these lots were sur- 
veyed, located, and a map made of them. These maps are 
recorded in the clerk's office. Sometimes more than half a 
dozen individuals would occupy and each pay a small school tax 
on his portion of the lot. To collect this occasioned so much 
trouble that the town voted to sell the school lands, and with 



Topography of the Town 145 

the exception of a small portion of No. 54 they have been sold. 
The town annually pays $54 which is 6% on the original ap- 
praised value of these lands for the support of schools. 

The first houses here were, of course, of logs. The trees had 
to be cut down to make a clearing, the logs were then cut off the 
proper length, two sides roughly hewed, then placed upon each 
other for the walls of the house. Clay was plentiful, and crev- 
ices between the logs cotdd easily be filled with that substance. 
Richard Ellis' house just north of where Mr. Lanfair lives, 
Thomas Phillips' house in the northeast part of what is now Mr. 
Kendrick's pasture and Chileab Smith's house north of Mr. 
Wait's (the first three houses built in town), also, shortly after, 
the Belding, Alden and Standish houses were built in this way. 
A large stone chimney laid in clay finished the structure. Near 
the remains of these old chimneys can usually be found a spring 
or shallow well. 

Richard Ellis took immediate advantage of the sawmill 
built in 1753-4 and put up the first frame house in Huntstown 
so that the record of the first road laid to the settlement in 1754, 
reads "from the west side of Thomas Phillips' lot in a straight 
line to Richard Ellis' new house. " This house stood a few rods 
southwest of where Will Lanfair now lives. With the new saw- 
mill near them other frame houses were soon built. The house 
lately occupied by Joshua Hall is probably the oldest now 
standing in town. Dr. Ellis seems to think that this house was 
first occupied by Capt. Lamrock Flower, but there is some 
evidence that Dea. Ebenezer Belding lived there in 1763 as the 
first Congregational church was organized that year in this 
house and Dea. Belding was one of the fifteen members. Prob- 
ably the two next in age now standing in town are the house 
occupied by Chapin Elmer, built by John Blackmer before 1770, 
and the house just below occupied by Harlow Phillips, built by 
Dea. Isaac Shepard in 1764. Dr. Ellis thinks the house now 
occupied by Addison Graves was built in 1765 by Mary Lyon's 
grandfather, Aaron Lyon. Mr. Ranney said he had heard that 
the old Dea. Ziba Srnith house was formerly the Mitchell tavern, 
standing on the east side of Bellows Hill. 



146 History of Ashfield 

The first frame houses built were usually one story like that 
opposite the Joshua Hall house, those in which Clayton Eldredge 
and Charles A. Hall live, the Wright and Josiah Smith houses on 
the "Flat," the houses in Cape Street and others. They were 
usually first built with a long kitchen in the rear, two ' ' square 
rooms" in front with a huge stone chimne}^ in the centre. 
Sometimes a smaller one-story house was built, then as the 
occupant became more prosperous, a one-room wide, two-story 
front was added to the end of the old part. The Charles Rich- 
mond, Sanford Boice, George Pease and other houses were 
built in this way. From 1790 to 1810, many very substantial 
two-story houses were built nearly alike. The Mrs. Amanda 
Hall house built by Esq. White in 1794, Professor Norton's 
built by Dr. Phineas Bartlett in 1792, Clarence Hall's built by 
Esq. Williams in 1800, Albert Howes' also built in 1800 by 
George Ranney were among the houses of this style. The first 
floor still had the long kitchen in the rear, the two square ones 
in front. From 1820 to 1845 one and one-half story houses all 
nearly of the same pattern seem to have been decidedly in favor. 
The houses owned by Anton Dige, Ceylon Bates, Will Turner, 
Edward Guilford, George Morton and more than a dozen others 
now standing in town were built in that way. Asa Davis, a 
carpenter from Buckland, did considerable work here and 
recommended this style of house as he had built one for himself 
in Buckland village. In the earlier years a man was likely to 
build a house patterned after some other he had seen, but in 
these later times he builds after a plan of his own. Hoyt Smith 
was another energetic carpenter from Buckland who did a good 
deal of work here. Jonathan Lilly, Jr., and Elisha Wing were 
the principal town carpenters. Luther Chapin and George 
Braman came later. 

The moving of buildings was fomierly more common than at 
present. The house where Mrs. Prouty lives was moved from 
near where Mrs. Curtis' house now stands, Mr. Maltby's house 
formerly stood on the opposite side of the street, and the Jasper 
Bement store which stood in the front part of what is now Henry 
Taylor's yard is now the building occupied by Riggs & Eldredge. 



Topography of the Town 147 

A large two-story house built by Jonathan Lilly about 1830 and 
occupied by him for a number of years, which stood nearly 
opposite the Sullivan place, was moved to Shelburne Falls in 
1863, and is now owned and occupied by the Elijah Shaw family. 
Walter Shaw's house was moved from "Bug Hill" and many 
others have changed their location from the place in which 
they were built. 

Bams were moved with cattle over the ground on shoes with- 
out rollers, frequently quite a distance in a single day. Uncle 
Ebenezer Robbins, "Old Robbins" of Cummington, was the 
great building mover. He was a man of large stature, a tre- 
mendous tobacco chewer and with a voice that it was said could 
sometimes be heard a mile in his commands. When twenty or 
thirty yoke of cattle were hitched to the building Robbins 
would take his station at a short distance and after rolling his 
quid from one cheek to the other give the word of command. 
"All ready — Straighten your teams — Now, All together. " The 
whips would fly and the great building would move on several 
rods, when the breakage of a chain or some other balk would 
call forth a majestic "Wh-o-a." 

Oh, for the youngsters the spectacle was sublime. After the 
moving was over, came the bountiful lunch of doughnuts and 
cheese. In the earlier days there was a liberal supply of ' ' Rhum ' ' 
to go with it. 

These neighborhood gatherings were very pleasant, and as 
nearly every farmer had a yoke of cattle it gave them a good 
chance to inspect each other's property and trade or "mis- 
mate" if desirable. 

At first the settlers were content with the spring near by, or a 
shallow well. One of these shallow wells may be seen near where 
the cabin of Thomas Phillips stood in Mr. Kendrick's pasture, 
another in Church & Broadhurst's pasture near the site of the 
Phillips and Ellis fort, now marked by a large millstone. Water 
was either dipped up by hand or drawn up by a bucket on the 
end of a short pole. Then, as houses were built on higher ground 
at a distance from springs, deeper and more substantial wells 
were dug and the well -sweep and "old oaken bucket" came into 



148 History of Ashfield 

vogue; later, the windlass and pumps, either wooden, iron, or 
chain. There are probably few houses in town seventy-five or a 
hundred years old, but have a deep well very near, covered per- 
haps with a flat stone and a foot of soil, its location very likely 
unknown to the present occupants. When Jonathan Lilly was 
digging his well at the house now owned by Mr. Belding and 
occupied by Dr. Jones, a good sized stone fell from the surface 
to the bottom just missing Mr. Lilly's head. Mr. Sanderson's 
diary for 1808 relates that a man in town was killed by the 
caving in of a well. By and by people began to make use of the 
"gravity system" and aqueducts were laid to the houses. A 
straight, clean, hemlock tree, some eight or ten inches in diam- 
eter was cut down, and logs six or eight feet in length were cut 
from it with a crosscut saw. These logs were placed upon a 
wooden horse about three feet high and a man with an auger a 
little longer than the logs would bore usually an inch hole through 
the centre of each from end to end. One end of the hole was then 
rimmed out with the " rimmer, " the other end of the log sharp- 
ened with an axe, then smoothed over with the "sheep's head " so 
as to perfectly fit the rimmed hole of the log next to it. Then 
beginning at the lower end of the ditch one log was firinly driven 
into another until the spring was reached. A plug was tightly 
fitted into the end of the lower log, a shorter perpendicular log was 
inserted into this, coming about three feet above the surface of 
the ground, and from this the water run through a "penstock" 
into a wooden trough usually dug out from a large tree cut on the 
premises. The boring and fitting of these logs was quite a trade, 
as it required a pretty good eye and no little skill to come out 
at the centre of the other end of the log when boring. Experts 
at the trade were Heman Howes and Charles Elmer in the east, 
and William Fuller and others in the west part of the town. 
Lead pipe for aqueducts began to appear in the thirties and 
forties but came slowly into use as people were afraid of lead 
poison. 



CHAPTER IX 



THE CHURCHES 



A history of the Baptist Church in this part of the town is a 
history of the Smith family at this period, and their pecuHar traits 
of character can be shown no better than by giving extracts from 
the early records of this church. 

Record of the Planting, Gathering and Proceedings of the 
Baptist Church of Christ in Ashfield : 

In the spring of the year 1753 Chileab Smith moved it to his 
Neighbors to set up Religious Meetings, which they did, and a 
Blessing followed ; and a Number (in the Judgment of Charity) 
were brought savingly home to Christ. 

Oct. 25, 1753. A number met for solemn fasting and prayer, 
and Chileab Smith and vSarah his wife, Ebenezer Smith, Mary 
Smith and Jemima entered into a written covenant together to 
keep up the Worship of God, and to walk up to farther light as 
they should require it. 

Nov. 29, 1753. Ebenezer Smith, being desired, began to 
improve among them by way of Doctrine. 

At this time Chileab Smith was 45 years old; his son Eben- 
ezer, just named, 19; the daughter Mary, older than Ebenezer, 
and Jemima, younger. The records continue: 

In the years 1754 and 1755 they were forced to leave the 
Town for some months, for fear of the Indians. 

1756. They continued in the Town and kept up the Publick 
Worship of God on the first day of the week continually. Re- 
freshing all that Came to Hear and Attend the Worship with 
them. 

July 2, 1761, they were embodied as a church of ten members, 
of whom six were members of Mr. Smith's family. Chileab, 
Enos and Eunice, three more of his children, a short time after, 
tmited with the church. The records, after giving the formation 
of the church, articles of faith and the covenant, with a list of 
those baptized and joining the covenant, continue thus: 

Feb., 1763. The people of another Persuasion settled a 
Minister in the Town, and obliged the Baptists to pay their 



150 History of Ashfield 

proportion of his Settlement and Salary till 1768. Then the 
Church sent Chileab Smith to the General Court at Boston, with 
a petition for Help; but Got None. 

In 1769 the Church made their case known to the Baptist 
Association at Warren (Worcester Co.) and Received from them 
a Letter of Admittance into that Body. 

In April, 1770, the other Society sold 400 acres of the Bap- 
tist Lands for the support of their Minister and Meeting-House. 

Under our Oppression we sent eight times to the General 
Court at Boston for help but Got None. 

In Oct., 1771, We were set at Liberty by an order from the 
King of Great Britain, and our Lands Restored. 

Between 1771 and 1785 the records are meagre and incom- 
plete, eight pages being missing during this time. The church 
seems to have flourished and received large accessions under 
Elder Ebenezer Smith's ministrations. The church on the hill 
was built during this time, about twenty rods north of Chileab 
Smith's house. 

This house was on the hill nearly opposite the Baptist Comer 
burying ground. Its exact location is marked by a stone tablet 
erected about eight years ago at which time there were public 
exercises, with historical addresses by Rev. C. S. Pease and by 
Sidney Smith, Esq., of Boston, a descendant of Chileab. 

In the year 1785, with Enos Smith as clerk, the records give 
a minute account of a difficulty which arose between Elder 
Ebenezer Smith and his father, Chileab, respecting the salary 
of a minister, the Elder contending that he should have a fixed 
salary, and his father that ministers should not be hirelings, but 
should preach for a love of the work, and be content with what 
the church sees fit to give him. The church and Mr. Smith's 
family were divided on the question. Meeting after meeting 
was held, and the advice of neighboring churches sought without 
avail ; the breech grew wider. Finally, (resuming the record) : 

Oct. 25, 1786. The Church Concluded that any further 
Labour with the Elder amongst ourselves would be fruitless, 
agreed once more to send to sister churches for help. 

The Council, being convened December 27, after hearing both 
sides, decided: "That the Elder was justifiable in his conduct; 
and advised the church, after they had concluded that their 



Churches 151 

acts were invalidated, to receive the Elder into his office in the 
church again, and to let him know that we have made him a 
Reasonable Compensation for his Labours amongst us, and then 
to continue the Relation as Church and Pastor, or Dismiss him 
in Peace. 

Jan. 24, 1787. The Church considered the Result of the 
Council before mentioned, and found that it wanted the Testi- 
mony of Scripture for its support, by which we desired to be 
tried; and that if we followed their Result and advice we must 
leave God's word as to our understandings. Therefore, Voted, 
That we cannot agree with their Result, for many obvious and 
Scriptural Reasons, which may be seen at Large in the original 
Records. 

Aug. 29, 1788. Friday the Church met for solemn fasting 
and Prayer to Almighty God, it being a dark time with us, we 
being despised by men, Elder Smith and his party having 
taken from us our meetinghouse, and we turned out to meet 
where we could find a place, and the Association, on hearing his 
story, having dropped us from that body. 

But Chileab Smith did not despair. In his paper on the Bap- 
tist persecution Charles Hall says, " Mr. Smith was a man with a 
tremendous disposition to have his own way. He had not the 
slightest doubt that his own opinion on any subject was right, 
and he would fight for his convictions with the courage of a lion. 
In his quarrels, he 

"Spared neither land, nor gold. 

Nor son, nor wife, 

Nor limb, nor life, 

In the brave days of old." 

He was interested to have a church in the rough new country 
where he had settled, but he must be the infallible head of the 
church, whose opinions must not be questioned." In this case 
it was a difference with his own son, who probably inherited 
some of the qualities of his parent. It was Smith blood against 
Smith blood. While Ebenezer, the son, kept on with his church 
on the hill, Chileab, the father, set about organizing another 
church without the aid of ministers or other churches, and, Janu- 
ary 14, 1789, Chileab Smith, Sr., then over eighty years of age, 
and Enos Smith, his son, were ordained as elders and leaders in 
the church and Isaac Shepard and Moses Smith, deacons. They 



152 History of Ashfield 

united with the Baptists from Buckland and built a church on the 
corner a little northwest of the house where George Howes now 
lives, a few rods north of the Ashfield line. It was a one-story 
building, with a four-sided pointed roof. There is good evidence 
that they built this house in 1789. By the records, the church 
seemed to gain in numbers and was by degrees recei ved into fellow- 
ship with other churches. The two churches remained separate 
some seven years. The records do not state just the manner of 
union. 

In 1796, it was voted to remove our meetings to the church, 
and in 1798 it was "voted to receive back Ebenezer Smith with 
such members as are willing to tell their experience." This 
record may be misleading, for Chileab and Enos' party went 
back into the house on the hill from which they had seceded, 
taking their minister, Enos, with them, Ebenezer having re- 
signed, making the union appear like a compromise. These 
records are of their church. The records of Ebenezer 's church 
were in the possession of William Stetson and were burned when 
the Whiting house near Buckland Four Comers was destroyed 
by fire about thirty years ago. 

After 1798, Elder Ebenezer preached in other parts of the 
state, finally removing toStockton,N.Y., in 1816. Elder Enos con- 
tinued to preach in the old church on the hill into the twenties, 
living up to his father's theory of no stated pay for ministers 
and charging nothing for his preaching beyond voluntary con- 
tributions. Erastus Elmer said he remembered that his father 
used to carry in a quarter of beef in the fall for Elder Enos' 
winter use. Mrs. Lydia Miles recalls Chileab's arguments 
against "hirelings" for preachers; that Christ didn't choose 
college educated men for his disciples, but took them from the 
lowest walks of life and they served without pay. In 1826, it 
was voted to have the Elder render an account to a committee 
annually in December what was done for his support. 

But it did not seem easy to hold the flock together, for prob- 
ably half the records are cases of discipline, choosing of com- 
mittees to visit the "wanderers," "disorderly walkers," those 
absenting themselves from church, and so on. We quote from 



Churches 153 

some of the reports of these committees. Sister Fuller "is hin- 
dered by the providence of God." Brother Newman was in 
fellowship with the church but had ' ' absented to perform some 
privet Labours." Brother Wilkie acknowledged "frolicking 
with the world, but would try to return to the church. " From 
Brother Steele they "got no satisfaction." May 17, 1801, 
"After considerable labor with Bro. Zadok King for his joining 
the Methodists the Church voted they could not commune with 
him in his present condition." May 31, Zadok requests the 
church to give him in writing the scriptural reasons why they 
cannot commune with him, and a committee is chosen for that 
purpose. June 24, the committee report that they accepted his 
request, but the "reasons" are not recorded. Two brothers 
in the church being at variance, a committee was chosen to labor 
with them and it is recorded as settled that evening. Two 
other brothers, also near neighbors, having had a difference of 
long standing were finally debarred from the communion and a 
committee appointed to "Labour with them." Not long after 
this the record says the parties appeared, acknowledged their 
fault and repentance towards the church and each other and 
"All in peace." This was certainly better and cheaper than 
"going to law" about it. 

Elisha Smith, having joined the Masons at Greenfield, it is 
recorded December 24, 1800, "At this meeting after Solemn 
Labour with Brother Elisha Smith for joining the freemasons, 
the church voted to postpone the matter to the next meeting, he 
not being Present, and chose these brethren to confer with Elisha 
Smith; viz: Dea. Perkins, Dea. Shepard, Brother Thomas 
Phillips and Brother Israel Standish to the aforementioned 
Bisness. " January 24, 1801, "The Church called upon their 
former committee that was chosen to confer with Brother Smith 
who report that he says he has no desire to leave the church and 
he being present the Church then entered into a Solemn labour 
with him and then voted unanimously that they cannot com- 
mune with him in his present Standing." May 25, 1803, "At 
this meeting Brother Elisha Smith wished to be restored to the 
church. After much labor Postponed the matter to some future 
opportunity." 



154 History of Ashfield 

Nothing more appears regarding this until April 25, 1827, the 
time of the Anti-Mason excitement, when the church took up the 
matter again as is related under Secret Societies. It looks as 
though the church had a warm discussion over it, the Elder 
doing his best to keep the Masons out, while his brother Elder, 
as Master of the new Ashfield lodge, was taking them in. It does 
not appear that any were really expelled for belonging to the 
order, but fair warning was given that if new ones joined, it 
would give ground for excommunication. About this time 
several of the Edson family were disciplined for "showing a 
leaning towards the Episcopalians. " 

In 1828, the members living in Buckland withdrew from this 
church to form a new church in that town. In 1830, members 
living in the central and southerly parts of this town withdrew 
and joined the new church at South Ashfield. In 1831, the old 
church on the hill being somewhat out of repair, was taken down 
and removed to the rear of the locust grove, about a hundred 
rods to the east of its former location. After Elder Enos' death, 
some of the ministers who officiated for a short time each were 
Elders Brown, Hale, Norris, Eggleston, Stearns, and Amsden. 
Elder Edward Hale was grandfather of Charles and Samuel 
Hale. During this time desertions to the Freewill Baptists 
enfeebled their ranks, and between 1840 and 1850 Millerism and 
the Second Adventists so diminished their numbers that meet- 
ings soon ceased to be held. The building went to ruins, and 
now a modest schoolhouse stands upon the spot. Not only the 
building but the church itself which Chileab Smith and his sons 
"planted and gathered" with so much care has ceased to exist. 

Elder Ebenczer died in Stockton, N. Y., in 1824, aged ninety, 
and Elder Enos in 1836, aged eighty-seven years. Both were 
good men, highly respected by those who knew them, and left 
behind a large and useful posterity. At the head of Elder Enos' 
grave in Baptist Comer stands a Revolutionary iron marker, 
and on the stone is inscribed 

Faith, that dispels affliction's darkest gloom, 
And hope, that looks beyond the tomb, 
Peace, that not hell's dark legions can destroy. 



Churches 155 

And love, that fills the soul with heavenly joy, 

Lab 'ring, he preached till summoned from on high, 

To quit his toil and rest above the sky. 

Scattered through the old church records are many notes of 
dismissals to those removing to "distant parts." Out of the 
upwards of six hundred names that stood on their books as 
members, the Aldens, Shepards, Smiths, Ellises, Lyons, Lind- 
seys, Crittendens, Harveys, Richmonds, Standishes, Paines, 
Chapins, Elmers and many others, only few remain, but their 
descendants may be found from Maine to California. Strong 
and true men and women wetit out from here and made their 
mark in the " distant parts " where they cast their lot. With all 
their crudities and imperfections, who can doubt the good and 
lasting influence which the stem discipline of the old Baptist 
Church exerted upon those nurtured within its fold. 

A second Baptist Society was formed in South Ashfield and a 
church built there in 1814, which building is now the South 
Ashfield "Village Hall. " Rev. Josiah Loomis, a graduate from 
Elder Enos' church, was the minister until 1820 when he re- 
moved to the state of New York. He was ordained to the 
ministry at a public ordination in 1808. He lived on the north 
side of Briar Hill near the locust grove below the house of Henry 
Cross, where the old cellar hole may still be seen. He was the 
ancestor of the Loomises of Holyoke, also of Mabel Loomis 
Todd, wife of Professor Todd, the Amherst astronomer. Rev. 
Orra Martin was the second minister, and lived at the Sears 
place above Charles Lilly's farm. The church ceased its organ- 
ization about 1841, and in 1843 the building was conveyed to the 
Universalist Society. 

The Ashfield Plain Baptist Church was organized January 13, 
1867, and was incorporated October 3, 1868. There were four- 
teen constituent members and fifty-two when the church was 
incorporated. The church building was given by the remaining 
members of the Baptist Church in Buckland and was moved and 
put up in Ashfield in 1869. The inside was repaired in 1884, and 
in 1900 it was repaired and painted outside, also a slate roof put 
on. The parsonage was built in 1886. 



156 History of Ashfield 

The following is a list of the settled ministers: Revs. E. N. 
Jencks, 1868; Thomas H. Goodwin, 1871; George W. Sander- 
son, 1872; George A. Willard, 1874; W. D. Athem, 1881; 
George Shepard, 1884; William Libbey, 1886; S. W. Whitney, 
1892; C. S. Pease, 1896; H. A. Calhone, 1903; J. E. Dame, 
1905; Edward Cooper, 1910. 

David Pease, better known as "Father Pease," had a good 
deal to do with organizing the church, and supplied the pulpit a 
number of times. Other supplies were Asa Randlett, H. R. 
Mitchell, and W. T. Rice. 

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 

In February, 1863, one hundred years from its formation, 
Rev. Willard Brigham of the First Congregational Church gave 
an historical discourse. This paper was preserved by Mr. 
Ranney, from which we make the following abstract : 

A history of the Congregational Church in Ashfield is not a 
history of the town, although for more than half the period of 
its existence the town acted as its parish; yet I shall endeavor 
to confine myself closely to church affairs, leaving the many 
interesting facts and items not directly connected with its his- 
tory to be preserved by some future historian of the town. 

In 1834, Rev. Mr. Shepard wrote sketches of the history of 
Ashfield, devoting but a single chapter to ecclesiastical affairs, 
so that what is said of this church was less than half a dozen 
pages of his valuable manuscript. Dr. Packard's history of the 
churches contains some important facts, together with bio- 
graphical notices of the pastors and preachers who have origi- 
nated from this town. These most valuable parts of a truthful 
history of this church have been well preserved, and I do not 
deem it best to copy and invite you to listen to what has been 
printed and read by many. Could we get at the inner lives of 
its most devoted members we should have an abundance of the 
very best material for the church's history. But this cannot be. 
The early records of the church are meager. The first eight 
pages are lost, and the first record remaining dates five years 
after its organization. During the thirty-three years of Rev. 
Mr. Porter's pastorate all is contained on four pages. From 
May, 1795, to April, 1805, no record is made save the names of 
those added and those baptized. 



Churches 157 

The conditions made to the Proprietors of Huntstown were 
similar to Hke grants made by this grand old Puritan province. 
Religion was first ; each town must have its meeting house with 
minister of orthodox faith as well as schools. The grant was to 
be divided into sixty-three shares; sixty for the soldiers, one 
for the minister, one for the ministry and one for the schools. 
(One right or share would be about 400 acres.) Among the 
conditions of their retaining their rights to these lands, the pro- 
prietors were to settle a minister and build a meeting house. 
The proprietors were sufficiently near Plymouth Rock and had 
enough of that blood to cheerfully accept and carry out the 
design in regard to preaching and schools. One of their first 
acts after their organization in 1739 was to choose a committee 
to provide and agree with a minister to preach to such as in- 
habit Huntstown, at their discretion, and that "said committee 
shall give order to the treasurer for the payment of the minister 
who has already preached there." In the spring of 1743, a similar 
committee was chosen with like instructions. Revs. Dickinson 
and Streeter were sent up by the Proprietors from Hadley to 
preach at different times. 

In 1761, Chileab Smith organized a Baptist Church in Bap- 
tist Comer with his own son, then nineteen years old, as min- 
ister. A majority of the Proprietors, resident and non-resident 
members, were Congregationalists and they evidently did not 
recognize Mr. Smith's church in Baptist Comer as fulfilling the 
conditions of the grant as to an orthodox minister, and being as 
near the center as may be; for in December, 1762, they vote "to 
give Rev. Jacob Sherwin, a graduate of Yale, if he will settle in 
the ministry, 100 pounds in settlement and 60 pounds yearly 
till they shall arrive to the number of sixty families, and then to 
raise twenty shillings per family, if they shall increase annually 
tmtil they come to the number of eighty families, at which time 
he shall be entitled to 80 pounds a year as long as he continues 
their minister, also he is to have 4 pounds annually above this 
to procure firewood." Mr. Sherwin accepted the call and was 
installed February 23, 1763, the church being organized the day 
previous, one hundred years ago today, consisting of fifteen 
members, seven males and eight females besides Mr. Sherwin. 
This included a negro man, Heber Honestman, a servant em- 
ployed by Phillip Phillips. They had no place of worship but 
held their meetings at the dwelling house of Ebenezer Belding, 
which is a part of the house where Joshua Hall now lives. 

The articles of faith and covenant adopted by the church and 
continued until 1829 are lost ; at least I have not been able to 



158 History of Ashfield 

find a copy. The creed as it stood did not differ essentially from 
the one substituted in its place. The objections to it were that 
it was obscure, indefinite and rather prolix. Dr. Shepard said 
as near as he could recollect, about one-third of it was occupied 
with a discussion of the effect of Adam's fall upon his posterity. 
He recollects inquiring of Dr. Crosby of Conway when the creed 
of his church was prepared. His reply was, " I do not know for 
a certainty, but I think it must have been soon after the fall of 
Adam, for it is very definite on that subject. " 

The town was incorporated June 21, 1765, and by the law 
then passed the Proprietors were still held to certain duties, 
viz., to build the meetinghouse, settle a minister, make and 
repair roads, and so forth, the charges for which were to be 
assessed upon the lands. (Mr. Brigham here relates the dif- 
ferent steps taken in regard to building the meetinghouse, which 
we omit, it having already been given in another place.) After 
the house on the Plain was covered with shingles, a very plain 
pulpit was made, without cushions, and seats were formed by 
boards placed upon blocks, and in this state it began to be oc- 
cupied in 1768. The General Court sent a committee to Ash- 
field to see if the conditions in regard to incorporation had been 
complied with and they reported that the town had fulfilled the 
order. The town then assumed control, including ecclesiastical 
affairs. The town laid out the pew ground and sold to indi- 
viduals who were able and disposed to erect pews, devoting the 
avails to the completion of the house. In 1792, they purchased 
cushions for the pulpit and in 1795, when the last sale of the 
pew grounds was made, the proceeds finished the repairs and 
hired a singing master for the winter. 

Mr. Sherwin's pastorate of the church was eleven years and 
three months, during which sixty-four persons were added to the 
church, and one hundred and nineteen baptized. In 1773, some 
trouble arose over a case of discipline, and soon after this the 
town having assumed responsibility in regard to the minister's 
salary, the number of families had increased to seventy, entitling 
Mr. Sherwin by his contract to 70 pounds. The town did not 
consider themselves bound by the Proprietors' contract and 
voted only 50 pounds, which he refused to accept, but claimed 



Churches 159 

his full salary. The town then requested his dismission. He 
offered to compromise but the town insisted on his dismission. 
A council was called and as the town refused to accept its de- 
cision Mr. Sherwin would not take his dismission. The con- 
troversy deepened. Meetings multiplied. The town took 
advice. Another council was called in May, 1774, which dis- 
missed Mr. Sherwin, but decided that the town should pay him 
according to the Proprietors' contract up to the time of his 
dismission. Mr. Sherwin remained in town eight years, was 
town clerk, selectman, and the first person to hold the office of 
Justice of the Peace in town. He removed to Sunderland, 
Vermont, where he died in 1803. 

In August, the church extended a call to Rev. Nehemiah 
Porter, which he declined on account of the inadecjuacy of the 
salary. In October the call was renewed with some addition to 
the salary. Mr. Porter, having a family, deemed it insufficient 
for his support and again declined, but suggested that with 
some land to rely upon he might be able to support his family. 
In November, they gave Mr. Porter a call, offering him the 
fifty acres of ministerial land to be his property at settlement 
and sixty pounds annually.* (This was lot No. 55 of the first 
division, afterwards the Justus Smith farm, bounded north by 
Mrs. Julia Wing and Mr. Belding's land, west by Mr. Belding's 
hill. It was fifty rods wide and extended south one hundred and 
sixty rods.) He was installed December 24, 1774, preaching his 
own installation sermon. He was sole pastor until June, 1808, 
over thirty-three years, and until he was in his eighty-ninth year. 

Packard's history contains a lengthy account of his life. The 
depreciation of the currency was such that in 1779, the town 
raised 4,752 pounds Continental money for Mr. Porter's salary, 
equal to 66 pounds lawful money. 

In 1782, the church voted that the Psalm might be sung half 
the time without being read line by line. In 1800 it is said that 
but three carriages were owned by those attending the Congre- 
gational church and these were only lumber wagons. The 
roads were tortuous and hilly, the means of traveling were on 

*The remarks in parentheses are by the compiler. 



160' History of Ashfield 

horseback and on foot. Yet all went to meeting. One old man 
who lived three miles from church and had eleven in his family 
said all could be accommodated, for those who couldn't ride 
could go on foot. There were no cushions on the seats, no backs 
to lean against, not convenient for sleeping, no fire, and 
ministers preached and prayed long in those days. It is said 
that Mr. Porter in the short days of winter would preach as long 
as he could read from his notes. The communion service pur- 
chased in Mr. Porter's ministry was from a bequest of Obadiah 
Dickinson, the Proprietors' treasurer for many years. 

The controversy with the Baptists would occasionally break 
out but it does not appear that Mr. Porter had anything to do 
with it. In 1809, the Baptists, throtigh Mr. John Alden, pre- 
sented a memorial to the town which they desired put on record. 
"May 15. 1809. Voted: That Elijah Paine, Esq., Thomas 
White and John Alden be a committee to obtain Information 
concerning the Grant of the Ministerial Lands to the town of 
Ashfield." (The memorial and the report stand on the town 
records, containing about a dozen closely written pages.) 

In this memorial the Baptists claim a share in the ministerial 
land, that their lands have been taxed to support Congregational 
preaching, and recite other grievances of the past. A committee 
was chosen to consider the memorial and in December, 1810, 
reported at length through its chairman, Esq. Paine. The 
ground taken by this report was that the Baptists had no claim 
upon the town for these lands, because they settled no learned 
orthodox minister, and built no meetinghouse as the grant and 
law contemplated; that this matter had already been legally 
decided and at that late day the town had nothing to do with it. 

In the office of the Clerk of Courts in Northampton is this 
record : 

March 26, 1762. Petition put in from Phillip Phillips for 
an action agaiiist the assessors of Huntstown, viz. Ephraim 
Marvel and Reuben Allis for relief from an illegal tax, on the 
ground that Ebenezcr Smith was exempted from taxation as 
being a settled minister. At a court held in Springfield, May 4, 
it was decided that the tax was illegal, and that Phillip Phillips 



Churches 161 

recover from the assessors the amount of tax. This was evi- 
dently a test case, brought before the courts to have a legal 
decision as to whether the young man preaching to the Baptists 
was really a settled minister. The Baptist side of this contro- 
versy has been presented in Mr. Hall's paper. Anyone caring 
to investigate this more fully can find much in Vol. IV, pp. 
1035 to 1046, also in Vol. V, pp. 228 and 9 of the old Province 
Laws. 

We cannot blame the Baptists for resisting these acts of 
oppression, but at that time under the then existing law the 
Proprietors could do no different. They were obliged to make 
and collect an equal tax on all the property holders for the 
minister and meetinghouse as well as for roads and schools. If 
it was wrong it was the fault of the law, not of the town or 
church. But in 1779, when delegates were chosen to form a 
new state constitution, strong instructions were given that no 
laws should be passed that should oppress any persons or sect 
in matters of religion. 

Rev. Alvan Sanderson was installed as colleague pastor of 
Mr. Porter, June 22, 1808. It was estimated that two thousand 
persons witnessed the ceremony, being seated in the hollow 
near where the tomb now is, the speakers in front of the church 
door near the White burial lot. (An account of his life and labors 
is given in Dr. Shepard's sketch, also in the Academy history, also 
in Dr. Packard's history.) Four complete manuscript diaries of 
the Rev. Alvan Sanderson for the years 1802, 1808, 1809 and 1814 
are preserved in the ofhce of the town clerk. We quote his 
account of the installation, June 22: 

Was with ye council. Took breakfast with them. Went 
to see my brothers and sisters who had arrived in town. 
Walked in procession to ye place appointed for ye installa- 
tion to take place, (it being near ye meeting house.) The 
parts were performed by ye following ministers, viz. Rev. 
Mr. Spaulding made ye introductory prayer. Rev. Mr. 
Emerson preached ye sermon, text Heb. 13, 17, Rev. Dr. 
Lyman made ye consecrating prayer, Rev. Mr. Wells gave 
ye charge. Rev. Mr. Nash gave ye right hand of fellowship, and 
Rev. Mr. Whitman made ye concluding prayer. The several 
parts were well performed. The concourse of people present 



162 History of Ashfield 

was very large. It was judged of there were at least 3000 people 
present. They were very orderly, attentive and solemn. 
Blessed be God for His smiles upon us. The occasion was 
peculiarly interesting and solemn to me. My mind I trust was 
deeply impressed with a sense of ye greatness and importance of 
ye charge I took upon me. May God in much mercy make me 
faithful to ye souls of the dear people under my charge. 

From 1801 to 1812 there was much discussion as to a new 
meetinghouse and its location. The people in the village natu- 
rally wanted it retained there while those in the south part of the 
town desired it nearer them. (In the Chapter on the Town Hall 
is given the reasons for its location on the "Flat." Dr. Enos 
Smith who lived where the Wright place now is, is said to have 
been quite influential in having the house located there.) In 
August, 1815, Rev. Sylvester Woodbridge was called as a pastor 
but the council convened to settle him found such a determined 
opposition that they decided against his settlement. Much 
feeling was aroused, two parties, the Woodbridge and anti- 
Woodbridge were formed and another attempt was made to 
settle him with the same result. After the dismission of Mr. 
Sanderson and the rejection of Mr. Woodbridge the church had 
no settled pastor for three j^ears, when June, 1819, Rev. Thomas 
Shepard was ordained. So sore was the rent occasioned by the 
Woodbridge quarrel that it did not heal and some of the mem- 
bers favorable to Mr. Woodbridge left the church and joined 
other churches, the Episcopal Church being fonned at this time. 
Mr. Shepard was aware of the dissension in the church and his 
letter accepting the call is direct and manly. His pastorate of 
fourteen years was highly sviccessful. Many were added to the 
church and he was a helpful factor in the town as a citizen in 
various ways. He was at the head of the temperance reforma- 
tion. (His name may be seen at the head of the list of names 
given on another page as belonging to the first Temperance 
Society in town.) He organized a Sunday School soon after his 
settlement. James McFarland was the superintendent for 
many years and Daniel Forbes the principal teacher. The main 
lessons of those times were to commit to memory passages of 
Scripture. Some of the pupils could repeat passages until the 



Churches 163 

teacher could hear no more for want of time. A daughter of 
Ezekiel Taylor in one week committed to memory twelve chap- 
ters of the New Testament besides doing her work. Mr. Shepard 
asked for his dismission September, 1832, giving as a reason, 
failing health. 

May 9, 1833, Rev. Mason Grosvenor was installed pastor. 
Soon after his settlement, Mr. Grosvenor openly attacked the 
infidelity that prevailed. His object was undoubtedly good but 
his manner unwise. The church unhappily became involved in 
an excitement which so pervaded the whole community that 
Dr. Bement, then a deacon of the church, remarked that there 
was not a person of calm nerves in the whole town. In a large 
public church meeting called for the purpose, the infidelity and 
Dr. Knowlton as the leader of it were attacked and when the 
doctor arose to defend himself he was not permitted to do it, as 
being out of order. The pastor preached a severe sermon 
against the doctor which led a member of the church to comment 
severely upon the sermon. The excitement was kept up, re- 
sulting in the excommunication of the member, then in the 
calling of an ex-parte council which restored him. Mrs. Miles 
in her Reminiscences says of Mr. Grosvenor: "As I remember 
him he was a man of strong convictions, very decided opinions, 
and would do and say whatever he thought to be right, utterly 
regardless of consequences." The party excommunicated and 
restored again was Mr. Nathaniel Clark, a highly respected 
citizen, who defended valiantly "his doctor" whom he con- 
sidered abused. Mr. Grosvenor died recently in Ohio, and his 
son was a member of Congress. Dr. Knowlton wrote a pamph- 
let in defence of himself, entitled "A History of the Recent 
Excitement in Ashfield. " This is preserved on the shelves of 
the P. V. M. A., at Deerfield. The dismission of Mr. Grosvenor 
in July 1835 left the church in a very unhappy state. 

Rev. Burr Baldwin was installed April 20, 1836, and dismissed 
September, 1838. The summer he was settled the Sabbath 
School numbered three hundred and seventy-four. Daniel 
Forbes was superintendent, Alvan Perry, assistant, with Wait 
Bement, librarian. The church numbered two hundred and 



164 History of Ashfield 

ninety-six. In the two years Mr. Baldwin was here it dimin- 
ished seventeen, chiefly by removals west. 

In June, 1840, Rev. Sereno D. Clark was installed over the 
church. Soon after the settlement of Mr. Clark the interior of 
the church was remodelled and the upper room formed. The 
event most affecting the church during Mr. Clark's ministry 
was trouble with the singing. (At the close of a large singing 
school, choristers were to be chosen to lead the choir. They 
could not agree tipon one man, therefore two were chosen, one 
for each party. Both choirs were in the singers' gallery Sunday 
and when the first hymn was given out, each leader named a 
different tune, and both choirs started off together. After one 
verse, the singers from one choir left their seats. Quaint Uncle 
Isaac Taylor at this, aptly quoted Scripture for the occasion: 
"This day is the Scripture fulfilled in our ears, the songs of the 
sanctuary are turned into howling.") The want of harmony 
was in the dispositions of the choir, not in the voices. It com- 
menced in the choir and was taken up by the parish and church. 
The minority seceded and for a while held separate meetings 
on the Sabbath in the town hall. A council was called in the 
autumn of 1847 to organize a second church if thought best, but 
the council thought otherwise and drew up conditions of agree- 
ment which were mutually accepted. Mr. Clark resigned his 
pastorate to accept a call to Lee in April, 1851. (Mr. Clark was 
accused by each party of favoring the ' ' other side ' ' but evidently 
endeavored to keep clear of the controversy as far as possible. 
He was a very able preacher, sound in the doctrines of the day, 
"viciously orthodox" as one outsider expressed it.) 

Rev. Wm. H. Gilbert was installed in December, 1851, and 
dismissed in August, 1855. The principal event of his pastorate 
was the division of the church and the formation of the second 
church in the village. 

Mr. Brigham, becoming the pastor just after Mr. Gilbert and 
after the division, in his discourse, declines to discuss the causes 
of the separation but thinks there was really no good reason for 
it. In 1855, the second church was formed and the next year a 



Churches 165 

new house was built. The main cause of the separation was a 
charge made against the aged treasurer of the society of loose- 
ness and irregularity in his books. The affair was so conducted 
that bitter feelings were created between the friends of the 
accused and his accusers. There were good men on both sides 
arrayed against each other in this unhappy difference, each 
believing his side in the right. A strong, broad, liberally minded 
minister like Dr. Shepard, would very likely have controlled the 
situation and prevented the separation. 

Mr. Brigham resigned the same year he gave his centennial 
discourse, and Rev. E. C. Ewing began his labors, which con- 
tinued until 1867. About this time the desirability of a union 
between the two churches began to be seriously discussed. 
Mr. Ewing immediately resigned, fearing lest he might be in the 
way of accomplishing the result. The two churches finally 
decided to leave the conditions of union to a board of referees, 
and in 1868 they came together, after a separation of twelve 
years. Since the union the pastors have been : Webster Wood- 
bury, 1868-70; James Dingwell, 1872-77; Jonathan Wadhams, 
1878-88; Charles B. F. Pease, 1889-93; George H. Bailey, 
1893-98; Horace F. Hallett, 1899-1911. In 1886 a chapel and 
dining room were added to the church, largely through the in- 
fluence of Mr. Wadhams, and in 1895 the church interior was 
tastefully remodelled by the generosity of Mrs. Daniel Williams 
as a memorial to her husband. The present membership of the 
church is one hundred and seventy-four. 

THE EPISCOPAL SOCIETY 

Abstract of an Historical Address read in St. John's Church, 
Ashfield, Mass., by the Rector, the Rev. George Putnam Hunt- 
ington, Sunday, October 2, 1887: 

On the 15th of June, 1820, fourteen of the men of Ashfield put 
their names to a declaration to the effect that being attached 
to the doctrines, discipline and worship of the Protestant Epis- 
copal Church, and in exercise of their constitutional privileges 
which secure to every person the right of worshiping God agree- 
ably to the dictates of his own conscience, they formed them- 
selves into a society by the name of "the Parish of St. John's 



166 History of Ashfield 

Church, in the town of Ashfield. " Of the names attached to this 
document the first is that of Jesse Edson, who was the first senior 
warden, and who has been justly termed the father of the parish. 
Then follow the names of Bethuel Lilly, Joseph Hall,' and 
Lemuel and Simeon Phillips, who were successively wardens 
during the following twenty or thirty years, and the name of 
Jonathan Lilly who for twenty-five years was the parish clerk. 
Simeon Phillips preceded him as the first parish clerk. The 
other names are David Williams, James Phillips, Howard Edson, 
Albinus Lilly, Bethuel Lilly, Jr., PhiUip M. Philhps, Austin 
Lilly and Chipman Lilly. 

That the Church should ever have been established in this 
hill town is a matter of surprise. It was the first and it still 
remains the only parish on the hills, in the diocese. Three 
causes are to be found which, under Divine guidance, led to the 
planting of St. John's Church, Ashfield. 

The first to be mentioned may rather be temied the oppor- 
tunity. Dissension had arisen in the Congregational Society 
over the attempt to settle as their minister. Rev. Sylvester 
Woodb ridge. A determined minority, including the deacons 
and a former pastor who still resided in the town, opposed Mr. 
Woodbridge so vehemently that a council held in January, 1817, 
unanimously advised against his settlement, but not, as was 
expressly stated, for any fault either of morals or doctrine. In 
spite of this action of the council, the call was renewed before 
the end of the same inonth, but the opposition continued to be so 
strong that the attempt to retain Mr. Woodbridge was aban- 
doned. This, however, did not bring peace. No minister was 
settled for some years, and when finally a minister was called, 
many of the friends of Mr. Woodbridge determined to withdraw. 
Under the existing statutes, which were then of recent date, and 
the full force of which was just being understood, the course that 
was open to them was to unite with some religious society 
already organized. Thus only could they escape the obligation 
to pay taxes for the support of the Congregational Society, 
which was then, in the eye of the law, the established church. 
Early in the year 1820, therefore, these men who afterwards 
organized this parish united themselves with St. James' Church, 
Greenfield, under the Rev. Dr. Strong, who was then the rector. 
Our town records contain copies of the separate certificates of 
each of these men signed by the clerk of the Greenfield parish. 
In June of the same year, this parish of St. John's, Ashfield, was 
organized, and after that date we find the certificates of others 
who united with the newly formed parish. Among these are the 



Churches 167 

familiar names of Levi Cook, Levi Cook, Jr., Seth Hall, Capt. 
Lot Hall, Joel Lilly, and Joseph Hall, Jr. 

It would be most interesting and instructive to know to what 
extent those who were the originators of this parish had studied 
into and appreciated the distinctive principles of the Church. 
If they had suffered from the tyranny of a religious society 
governed by laymen chosen by a vote of the members, they 
doubtless welcomed a Church polit}^ in which the administration 
of spiritual affairs was entrusted solely to a rector and a bishop, 
i. e., to men educated and trained for the work. 

That the founders of this parish had the opportunity of learn- 
ing the distinctive principles of the Church will appear when we 
consider what was the second influence which resulted in the 
organization of this parish, namely, the influence exerted by the 
rector of St. James' Church, Greenfield, the Rev. Dr. Strong. 
When the disaffected members of the Congregational Society 
here looked about for a church of some other denomination with 
which to unite, the commanding figure of Dr. Strong of Green- 
field at once attracted their attention. He was a powerful man, 
full of zeal and devotion, and identified more or less closely with 
that school in the English Church which recognized a definite 
meaning and practical application in the words, "I believe in 
the Holy Catholic Church. " We may be sure that very wisely 
and kindly but very plainly he set forth to these men of Ashfield 
the distinctive principles not merely of the Protestant Episcopal 
Church but of the Church Catholic of all time. He taught them, 
as the records show, the necessity of Holy Baptism and the Holy 
Communion. The first service in this town of which we know 
the date was held vSeptember 24, 1820, by Dr. Strong, who at 
that service administered the Holy Communion and baptized 
eight infants. 

Mr. Huntington mentions the influence which Jesse Edson, 
who came from Bridgewater in 1771, had in the formation of 
this Church. His ancestors were attached to the Church of 
England and his son, Howard, was a member of the Episcopal 
Church in Greenfield as early as 1816. Jesse Edson was the lay 
reader for many years, followed by Simeon Phillips, Joseph 
Hall, James Phillips, Jonathan Lilly and Chipman Lilly. The 
first services were held in private houses, then in the South 
Ashfield meetinghouse, sometimes in the Steady Lane school- 
house, and sometimes in the town hall in the old taveni. It was 



168 History of Ashfield 

in this building that Bishop Griswold first officiated and held 
confirmation in July, 1821. 

Rev. Lot Jones was the first resident minister, coming here in 
September, 1823. The parish felt at this time strong enough to 
build a church, and a disinterested committee was chosen to fix 
the location. Mr. Levi Cook had ofl:ered to present them a lot 
on the corner but there was a desire to place the church on the 
hill and the vote to accept the donation of Mr. Cook was only 
six to five. This donation was made on the condition that if the 
services should be interrupted for the space of three years, the 
land should revert to the original owner. Mr. Jones, the min- 
ister, went into the woods and gave the final blow which felled 
the first tree for the building. Jonathan Lilly, the clerk, was 
the master builder. There were delays in the building and it 
was not ready for occupation until December, 1827. Twenty- 
seven men purchased pews at an annual rate of $117. After 
Mr. Jones went away, Mr. Withington officiated for a year. 
After this, Dr. Strong acted as rector, giving one-third of his 
time until Septe:nber, 1830, when Rev. Silas Blaisdale became 
rector. In 1831, he reports that his chief reliance for support 
was his salary as a teacher in Sanderson Academy which had 
been closed for some time, but the next year he says he has given 
up the work as it interfered with his parish work and yielded an 
insufficient income. In 1833, he reports that forty-five families 
take pews, and that they attempt to raise a salary of $250. In 
1834 an organ was procured. In 1835 Mr. Blaisdale reports 
that, "The church furnishes means of grace to a part of the 
community driven from their accustomed places of worship by 
the intolerance and restlessness of the times." Dr. Huntington 
says, "We leani from other sources that during these years the 
community was greatly excited by the Temperance agitation 
which met with bitter and determined opposition, and then over 
the angry persecution of one of the resident physicians, who was 
an outspoken unbeliever. " In July, 1836, Rev. Jacob Pearson 
became rector. A Sunday School had been organized, probably 
by Mr. Blaisdale, and the number of scholars reported for fifteen 
years varied from twenty to sixty. In 1844, with the help of Levi 
Cook, Esq., the church was painted. 



Churches 169 

It was about this time that the parish was first assisted hv the 
Board of Missions of the Diocese. At first, $75 was appro- 
priated, and this was increased soon to $100. In 1846, Mr. 
Pearson became disabled by bodily infinnities, and resigned the 
parish. In August, 1847, Rev. J. A. Stone took charge and was 
rector for about two years, followed in 1850 by Rev. William 
Withington who thus became rector for the second time. It was 
during this time that the parish raised money to purchase the 
present rectory, and the lot of land containing seven-eighths of an 
acre. The cost was $850. The number of communicants was 
steadily declining, caused by emigration from the town. Of the 
seventy-five families who attended the church in 1835, by far the 
greater number eventually left the town. In 1853, Rev. Charles 
Cleveland became rector and remained in office five years. He 
was a relative of President Cleveland and was a man loved and 
respected. In 1860, Rev. C. H. Gardner took charge and it was 
during his pastorate that the present organ was secured, at a 
cost of $800, the money being raised in the parish. Mr. Gardner 
resigned in November, 1861, and on June 13, 1862, Rev. Thomas 
Brinton Flower became rector, and after a faithful pastorate of 
twelve months he died, and was buried before the altar of the 
church June 25, 1863. 

The Rev. Lewis Green began his long pastorate of nineteen 
years, in October, 1864. So long a connection with the parish, 
thrice the length of any of the other pastorates, has identified 
for a whole generation, his name with that of this parish. He 
remained until the autumn of 1883, when, his failing health 
obliging him to retire from active labor, he resigned after a 
pastorate of nineteen years, with keen sorrow at leaving a 
people endeared to him by years of unremitting kindness to 
himself and family. The circumstances of his death on the 
sixteenth of last June need not be dwelt upon. His body was 
laid in the family lot in the cemetery in Lowell, after the ser\ace 
in that same church in which, in early life, he had been con- 
firmed, ordained deacon, and married. During his long resi- 
dence in Ashfield, Mr. Green won the esteem and respect of the 
entire community, and he was called to fill many places of public 
trust in the town. As a member of the School Committee, as 
one of the trustees of Sanderson Academy, and as President of 



170 History of Ashfield 

the Library Association he labored most dihgently, faithfully, 
and ably. In the town meetings his voice was often heard, and 
his words had great weight. He had occasion more than once 
to take the unpopular side in town matters, and he was a man 
who had the courage of his convictions. One of the most touch- 
ing and interesting proofs of Mr. Green's devotion and fidelity 
to the people of his parish and their spiritual welfare is the 
pastoral letter which he had printed and sent to all the members 
of the parish when he was staying at Greenfield a few months 
before he finally resigned his charge, in closing which he says, 
' ' In the good providence of God your pastor is for a time sepa- 
rated from you ; but none of the flock are forgotten. His heart 
goes out to every one, both old and young, and for you, as well 
as for all your town's folk and neighbors, his prayers are made. " 
These are among his last formal words to his parishioners here, 
and how closely he did bear them in his heart, those who stood 
by his bed in his last short illness have testified. 

[After the resignation of Rev. Lewis Green, the Rev. George 
P. Huntington, son of Bishop F. D. Huntington of central New 
York, was elected rector of St. John's church. He came from 
Maiden, Mass. During Mr. Huntington's stay the church 
prospered in every way. The rectory was repaired, a new bam 
was built, a bell was put on the church and the church was put 
in good condition. Mr. Huntington was here seven years — 
coming in 1884, and going to Hanover, N. H., in 1891. He died 
on the same day as his father, Bishop Huntington, and they 
were buried at Hadley on the same day, July 14, 1904. 

Mr. Huntington was followed by Rev. George Fisher who 
came from Milford. Mass. He had charge also of the church at 
Shelbunie Falls and lived there. He was pastor of the church 
here from 1892 till 1899 and went to Woods Hole, Mass., after 
doing a great deal of good work here. He was followed by Rev. 
J. Hugo Klaren, who came from Worcester in 1899 and was 
minister in charge until 1902, when he gave up this parish going 
to live at Shelbume Falls. Rev. David vSprague of Amherst 
acted as minister in charge from October, 1903, to December, 
1904, though Dr. Robert Ellis Jones, formerly president of 
Hobart College preached from June to December, 1904. Rev. 
W. H. Robinson from Calais, Maine, was minister in charge of 
both Ashfield and Shelbume Falls from 1904 to 1906 when he 
removed to Rouse's Point, New York, and was followed in 1906 



Churches 171 

by Rev. W. J. Erhard of New York who went in the fall of 1908 
to Brownsville, Texas. The present minister. Dr. F. C. H. 
Wendell, came from Haddam, Conn., in October, 1908.] 

C. A. H. 

UNIVERSALIST CHURCH 

From a book, "Records of the First Universalist Church in 
Ashfield, " now preserved in the town clerk's office we gather 
the following: 

Ashfield, September 23, 1840. 

Met according to legal notice and formed ourselves into a 
Religious Society to be called The First Universalist Society of 
Ashfield. 

Over sixty names are signed below the Articles of Faith, 
Constitution and By-Laws. The principal secretaries were 
Nelson Gardner, Earl Guilford and John Sprague. Busi- 
ness meetings of the society were held mostl}^ at the houses of 
the different members and at the store of Gardner & Guilford. 
Preaching services were held at the Baptist meetinghouse in 
South Ashfield. In March, 1844, it was "Voted, That we take 
the South Baptist meeting house at the appraisal of the com- 
mittee. " March 5, 1846, Vote "That we raise money for 
preaching half the time and that the standing committee con- 
tract with Earl Guilford to preach the year ensuing. " For four 
or five years the committee was instructed to contract with 
Rev. Earl Guilford. In 1852 it was voted that John A. Simpson 
be sexton and that he have charge of seating strangers and 
others. The next year it was voted "That the Society accept 
the Bass Viol presented by the Ladies' Sewing Society, and 
Eugene Gardner have the care of the Bass Viol to keep it in 
repair." Also, "That the thanks of this Society be tendered 
to the Ladies' Society for the Bass Viol and that H. A. Field be 
a committee to tender the thanks to the Ladies' Sewing So- 
ciety. " In 1860, Voted "That the committee dispose of the 
Bass Viol at their discretion if any one should wish to purchase. " 

In March, 1867, "voted that the standing committee make 
all necessary repairs, and that John Sprague be a committee to 
procure speakers if there is money raised for that purpose." 



172 History of Ashfield 

In April, 1868, is the last entry in the book which simply records 
that they met according to notice and voted to adjourn for one 
year. 

Among the preachers employed were Revs. A. W. Mason, 
Hosea F. Ballou, Earl Guilford, J. A. Kinney, J. Gifford and a 
Mr. Morton. 

The building which they bought of the Baptists and in which 
they held their meetings is now the South Ashfield Village Hall. 

METHODISTS 

Many years ago a Methodist Chapel was built in the south 
part of the town near Chapel Falls. It stood on the comer 
where the guide board and watering trough now are. It was 
evidently built jointly by the Methodists and the school dis- 
trict, as there were two rooms, with folding doors between, which 
could be thrown open on Sunday. Here Alvan Clark, the future 
astronomer and telescope maker, attended the district school 
and listened to the ministrations from the Methodist pulpit on 
Sunday. 

Rev. Mr. Packard gives a list of twenty-eight ministers who 
originated from Ashfield, also sketches of the lives of quite a 
number. Since the publication of his book, two Baptist 
preachers have gone out from here, Revs. George F. Williams 
and Wilbur F. Rice. Mr. Packard's book is in the town library, 
also in a number of private libraries in town . He does not men- 
tion Mr. Zachariah Howes, who with his sister, the wife of the 
Rev. Elijah Bardwell of Goshen, in 1820 went on a inission to 
the Choctaws and Cherokee Indians. Mr. Howes died in 1837. 
Rev. William M. Ferry was an early teacher in Sanderson 
Academy. He married Amanda White, daughter of Thomas 
White, Esq., and in 1823 he and his wife went as missionaries 
to northern Michigan. He was superintendent of a very suc- 
cessful Indian mission school on the island of Mackinac for ten 
years. Their son, Thomas White Ferry, was state representa- 
tive and senator and for ten years United States senator from 
Michigan. Mrs. Amanda Hall, now living in town at the age of 
eighty-three, was the daughter of Rev. William M. Ferry and 



Churches 173 

was bom on Mackinac Island. Noah Henry Ferry, another son, 
and brother of Mrs. Hall, was a major in a Michigan regiment, 
and was killed at the battle of Gettysburg, July 3, 1863. 

Horace Jenkins, D. D., educated at Colgate University, was 
bom at Spruce Comer, December 13, 1832, went out as mis- 
sionary from the American Baptist Missionary Union to China 
in 1859 and continued there for fifty years, until his death in 
1909. He translated the Bible into Chinese and was esteemed 
a faithful and conscientious worker. 

Rev. Henry Perry, son of Alvan Perry, Esq., went out in 
1866 as missionary to Asiatic Turkey and with the exception of 
an interim of five years spent in the care of his mother here, has 
been in constant service up to the present year. Mr. Perry was 
instructor in a theological seminary there for several years. 
Miss Sarah Sears, daughter of Rev. Oliver Sears, went to the 
same country as missionary in 1874. She married Rev. Mr. 
Smith, an American missionary, who afterwards died. She has 
been a teacher in the girls' school at Mardin, also was connected 
with a college at Anatolia. She is still in service. Rev. Robert 
Hall is noticed in the sketch of the Hall family. 



CHAPTER X 



SCHOOLS 



The first action of the Proprietors relating to schools was the 
drawing of lot No. 54 for the school. This lot, as has been noted, 
was southwest from the village, beginning on the side hill where 
Mr. Belding's peach orchard now is and extending south to the 
Hiram Warren mowing, 160 rods long and 50 wide, the north- 
east comer being the northwest comer of the Henry Smith 
pasture. 

In the second division of lots in 1763, the hundred acre lot 
No. 1 was drawn for the school. The northeast comer of this 
lot is an oak stump near the stream a few rods from what is now 
E. W. Blakeslee's mill. 

The first recorded action by the town of Ashfield relating to 
schools was in the next year after it was incorporated, when at 
a town meeting "Held March 31, 1766, By Vartu of a warrant 
from the Selectmen of sd town it was Voted for the use of the 
scool 4 pounds. " This " Scool " was in Baptist Comer, although 
we do not know its exact locality. In 1768-9, money was 
raised for the "School, " showing that only one was recognized 
by the town at that time, but in 1772, it was "Voted: 1, To 
divide into three school districts. 2, To build three School 
Houses. 3, That Timothy Lewis, Samuel Belding and Aron 
Lyon be a committee to build sd houses." 

No lines were drawn defining the exact limits of the district 
until many years after. Previous to about 1800, a vote to 
divide into, or form new districts, simply meant that so many 
additional schools be kept with the town's money in certain 
neighborhoods. The additional schools were probably for the 
settlers in what is now South Ashfield, "Round School " and the 
Plain. No notice of the report of this committee appears until 
five years after, when at a meeting in 1777, it was "Voted, To 
accept the report of ye Committee that was appointed to divide 
the town into Districts for Schooling be according to the former 



176 History of Ashfield 

Division without any Alteration saving only that Capt. Cran- 
ston's corner of the town Including Six families be a District 
by itself. " "Capt. Cranston's corner of the town" was Spinice 
Comer. 

In 1782, another committee was chosen to superintend the 
further division of the town into districts, and between that 
time and 1790, five more were foniied, making nine in all. The 
new ones formed were "Steady Lane," " Briar Hill" including 
"Chapel" neighborhood, "Cape Street," "Northwest," and 
"Wardville" or the William Gray neighborhood. These dis- 
tricts were organized by the proper officers, and in due time 
schoolhouses were built. Usually, for a time, schools were kept 
in private houses. To show how the business was done we quote 
from some old papers kindly furnished by the Yeomans des- 
cendants. 

Due for School wood to Esqr Phillips half Cord 0- 2-0 

Due to Levi Steal for 1 Cord and % 0- 7-0 

Dr to Ensign Andros 1 Cord ]/^ 0- 5-0 

Dr to EHjah Phillips for half Cord of wood 0- 2-0 

Dr to Silas Lille Juner for half Cord of wood 0- 2-0 

Dr to Jonathan Yemans for 8 Cords of wood 1-12-0 
Dr more for thee use of his house two nionths 

and two thirds of a month for School house 0-10-0 



3- 0-0 



to Doct Phineas Bartlet town treasurer 1 

pleas to pay the several sums above as car- \ School Committee 

ryed out against their names J 

Jonathan Yemans 
Davis Butler 
Ashfield May the 16 A D 1792 

The school was kept in the house where Joseph Tatro now 
lives, probably then just built. It will be seen that 12^2 cords 
of wood were used in the old fashioned fireplace. Barnabas 
Anable was paid £7-4s for teaching the two and two-thirds 
months. From the following notice it appears that a school- 
house was built the next season. 



Schools 177 

to Jonathan Yemans Clerk of the Schol Destrict Called Esqr 
Phillipses or the north middle Destrict you are Directed to warn 
Said Destrict that they meet at the house Built by Simeon 
Crittenden for a School house on Tuesday the 10 Day of De- 
cember fursth' to chose a moderator to manage Said meeting 
21y to Se If the proprietors will Except of Said house and Sly 
to Do aney other Bisness that Shall Be thot proper to be dun on 
Said Day 

Ashfield Desember the Sixth AD 1793 

Levi Steel 

Davis Butler commite 

Jonathan Yemans 

the within Naned have Bin warned to meet at the time 
and place within mentioned 

by me Jonathan Yemans Clerk 

It looks as if the business was faithfully and systematical!}^ 
done, even if the spelling, capitals, and so on were somewhat at 
fault. 

In 1810 the Chapel district was formed from a part of Briar 
Hill, and in 1813 Beldenville was formed by taking portions of 
Baptist Comer and Wardville. Schools were kept in private 
houses in New Boston soon after this, btit no schoolhouse was 
built there until 1823, when it was built on its present location. 

In 1815, South Ashfield district was formed, the schoolhouse 
standing near where Clarence Guilford now lives. 

In 1845, the Apple Valley district appears as the fourteenth, 
with the "little red schoolhouse" on the comer of the Apple 
Valley road. 

In 1782, the first school in Steady Lane was kept in a house 
which stood on the comer where the Orville Hall house, occupied 
by Clarence E. Hall, now stands, with Miss Keziah Taylor as 
teacher. Afterwards the school was moved to a house on the 
comer near the creamery, then it was moved again to the comer 
just below Allison Howes' house, where it burned down. 
Another was built in the same place which stood until 1851, 
when a new one was built which stood there till 1883, when this 
and the Cape Street schools having united, it was moved to its 
present location. 



178 History of Ashfield 

The dwelling house of Ezekiel Howes, which stood opposite 
the barn of Henry and Abbott Howes, harbored the first school 
in the Northwest. Then a schoolhouse was built at the foot of 
the hill below John W. Howes' near the house of Daniel Forbes. 
About 1837, it was moved to the top of the hill about forty rods 
east of the Henry Howes place. Some twenty years later, it was 
moved fifty rods to the west, where it remained until 1886, when 
"Northwest" and "Apple Valley" having united, it made 
another migration and now rests peacefully in Apple Valley. 

The schoolhouse on Briar Hill first stood on the old road west 
of the house of Alvan Cross, and when the new road was built in 
1827, it was moved to its present location. 

The schoolhouse in Chapel district formerly stood on the 
old road running past the C. F. Howes house, now owned by 
Professor Cockaday, to the Blood, now the Miss Collis place, 
and was afterwards built on the comer below the Hitchcock 
— Mrs. Marshall — place. It was built to serve also as a 
Methodist Chapel. 

The Round schoolhouse was a part of the house in which 
Frank Hillman now lives. It was, as its name indicates, per- 
fectly round, built of brick and considered in its time a model 
schoolhouse. Eugene C. Gardner, now the well-known Spring- 
field architect, and an Ashfield boy of sixty years ago, thus 
describes it : 

The old round schoolhouse, "The Round" as we always 
called it for short, was undoubtedly sui generis. I do not believe 
there ever was another schoolhouse like it in this world. I 
doubt if there will be in the next. Yes, I went to school there, 
when the scholars sat on a plank bench with their backs against 
the edge of the continuous counter that hung against the outer 
wall, part of the time and "whopped around" for writing, 
ciphering, or any work involving the use of large books. I 
doubt if any other plan was ever contrived for putting a greater 
number of children into a similar space and so grouped that 
each one could face the music, that is to say the teacher. One 
winter, I think about 1848, there were between sixty and 
seventy on the record, eight from the Leonard family alone, 
(no twins), and I should guess that the list of absentees was a 
small one. 



Schools 179 

Several years ago I had memorandums of the exact dimensions 
of the building but am not sure that I can find them. I also 
have a small photograph. It is my impression that the outside 
measurement was twenty-one or twenty-two feet in diameter, 
but would not be sure, without verification. 

Extending around the inside of the outer wall except where it 
is cut off by the door, was a raised platform perhaps one foot in 
height and four or five feet wide. Attached to the wall under 
the windows was a sloping shelf, perhaps one and a half feet in 
width and in front of that shelf, a wooden bench of plank. The 
front edge of this platform constituted the seat for the younger 
pupils, and there was a sort of railing about one foot high and 
perhaps one foot from the edge, which made a back for the inner 
circle of seats, serving at the same time as a foot rest for the 
older scholars behind them. Whether the heads of the young- 
sters or the feet of the older ones had the right of way was not 
always clear. It is my impression that when the big boys stood 
up on the platform there was not a great deal of room to spare 
between their heads and the ceiling. 

There were three windows, — one north, one south, and one 
east. On the west side, protected by a small outside porch 
possibly six feet square was the entrance door. In this porch at 
each side were shelves where the boys and girls were expected 
to pile their caps and mufflers, hoods and shawls. Overcoats 
and overshoes for children had not then been invented. In this 
little lobby was a small window toward the north with a wooden 
shutter, which had a round hole in it about as big as a bung hole, 
and when both doors were shut, we had a most fascinating cam- 
era obscura. The spectators sat on the top shelf at the north 
side, the performers performed with colored shawls and other 
stage properties on the bank outside the building, the moving 
picture appearing on the under side of the sloping ceiling. Ad- 
jacent to this porch and extending west was the small woodshed 
which was open toward the south. I cannot recall any other 
out buildings except the back side of the woodshed. 

The teacher's headquarters were at the left side of the door 
on entering; his furniture being the end of the sloping shelf, 
under which was a small drawer. The inner circle or pit, which 
corresponded to the arena in the Roman amphitheatre, must 
have been as much as ten feet in diameter, possibly twelve. At 
the very centre was a stove for burning wood, mostly green, and 
it is my impression that the stove pipe ran straight up through 
the ceiling, a small, round, iron pipe through a big, square, 
wooden hole. The round pipe carried the smoke, or a part of 



180 History of Ashfield 

it, out of doors, the square hole allowed the bad air of the school 
to rise into the attic, from which, after getting cooled off, it 
came down again. It seems unlikely that the chimney could 
have stood on the apex of the cone of the roof, and it may be that 
the pipes ran horizontally to one side, either under or over the 
sheathing. 

As I remember the windows (there may have been four in- 
stead of three) , they could not have been over two and one-half 
feet wide by four or four and one-half feet high. Probably one 
or more was left unchanged when the addition was made. 

The teacher's comer, if a circle can be said to have a comer, 
was not only the source of knowledge but it was the seat of 
justice and the court of execution. The good old-fashioned 
ferrule was the familiar instniment of discipline. In fact, when 
there was a full house, there was hardl}^ room to swing the birch 
effectively without endangering the occupants of the orchestra 
chairs. Although I remember one occasion on which the school 
master found it necessary in modem slang, to "wipe up the 
floor" with one of the big boys, in which performance the stove 
pipe was knocked down and a reign of terror inaugurated with 
plenty of vocal music from the front row. About a square yard 
of the floor at the right of the teacher was the rostrum where we 
stood to read our compositions and "speak our pieces. " 

Surely it was an interesting building and the center of a cul- 
ture the circumference of which is not yet determined. 

This house was built by Mr. Gardner's grandfather, Jacob 
Gardner. Fifty, sixty, or seventy scholars were not unusual 
numbers for a winter school eighty years ago. Mr. Henry 
Taylor says that seventy-eight was the largest nuinber that he 
remembers packed in the little Cape Street schoolhouse in one 
winter. We have no record of the whole number of scholars in 
town until 1833, when in the first returns made to the state there 
were 635 between 4 and 21 years of age; in 1840, 494; 1845, 
464; 1850,380; 1855,348; 1860,253; 1865,232; 1870,233. 
In 1837, 546 scholars are reported as attending the thirteen 
schools in winter. These were kept an aggregate of 82 months 
in a year, or about an average of 63^ months each. $600 was 
raised for schools, and $550 contributed in board, wood, and so 
forth. The valuation of the town was called $280,808. Wages 
of female teachers was reckoned $5.50 a month and board the 



Schools 181 

same. The following sums of money have been voted for sup- 
port of schools: 

1766, £4; 1769, £9; 1773, £15; 1779, £500; 1788, £100; 
1789, £40; 1790, £80; 1791 to 1794 inc., £100; 1796, £150; 
1797, £125; 1798 to 1801 inc., $400; 1802 to 1807 inc., $450; 
1808, $400; 1809, 1810, $450; 1811, 1812, $500; 1813, $550; 
1814 to 1839 inc., $600; 1840, $800; 1841 to 1843 inc., $600; 
1844 to 1849 inc., $700; 1850, $850; 1851, $800; 1852 to 1854 
inc., $850; 1855 to 1863 inc., $1,000; 1864, 1865, $1,500; 1866, 
$1,250; 1867 to 1869 inc., $1,500; 1870, $2,000; from 1870 to 
1876, $1,500; 1876, 1877, 1878, $1,750; from 1878 to 1886, 
$1,600; 1886, $1,475 for schools and $200 for text books; 1887 
to 1890, $1,500 for schools and $100 for supplies; 1890 to 1893, 
$1,400 for schools, $500 for high school; 1893 to raise $2,000 
for school purposes and that the school committee be author- 
ized and instructed to use an additional sum not to exceed $250 
for the support of the high school; 1894, $1,750, $500 of which 
must be for high school; 1895, $2,000 for school purposes and 
to continue high school; 1896 and 1897, $1,500 for schools and 
$750 for high school; 1898, $1,800 for schools, $750 for high 
school; 1899, $1,650 for schools, $750 for high school; 1900 
to 1904, $1,500 for common schools with $300 in 1901 for super- 
intendent and $750 for high school annually to present time. 
In 1904-5-6-7, $1,700 raised for common schools and in 1907 
committee instructed to pay the teachers monthly. In 1908 
and 1909, $1,850 was raised. 

This money which was raised at first was probably expended 
by the selectmen or committee chosen by the town, upon each 
district at their discretion, but in 1788, it was "Voted, that the 
money be distributed in the several school districts according 
to the number of scholars from 4 years of age to 21 years of 
age." This method was continued until 1841, when it was 
voted to divide two-thirds of the money on the scholars and 
one-third on the districts. Not long after, a vote was taken to 
divide one-half on the scholars and one-half on the districts. In 
1882, it was "Voted to place the school money in the hands of 
the school committee to be expended by them at their dis- 
cretion. " 



182 History of Ashfield 

An old provincial law, and an act of 1789, made it the duty 
of the selectmen and ministers of the gospel to care for and visit 
the schools, but the records are silent as to any supervision being 
exercised until March, 1816, when it was 

"Voted, That Elijah Paine, Esq., Joshua Howes, Jr., Joseph 
Barber, Alvan Clark, Peter Sears, Ahira Sears, Daniel Williams, 
Henry Bassett, Ebenezer Furbush, David Lyon, John Alden, 
Bethuel Lilly and Samuel Shepherd be a committee to visit the 
schools the year ensuing, and to request the said committee to 
invite the clergy to visit the schools with them. " 

In 1818 it was "Voted that the school committee do visit the 
schools twice this season. " 

In 1819, March 1st, it was "Voted that Elijah Paine, Henry 
Bassett and James McFarland be a committee to report to the 
town the best method of visiting schools and examining 
teachers." 

The votes which were taken in the early part of the century 
show a deep and progressive interest in the schools. Towns 
were not required by law to choose a school committee until 
1826, so that these votes were in anticipation of the law. In 
1827 it was voted "to take the Journal of Education, published 
at Boston, for the use of the School Committee." The town 
was also one of the earliest pioneers in the matter of choosing 
women upon the school board. In 1855, nineteen years before 
the state passed the act making women eligible to the office, 
two women were elected on the school board. 

From 1830 to 1836, there seems to have been considerable 
discussion as to whether the School Committee should receive 
compensation for their services. 

In 1835, it was voted to accept the report of a committee 
chosen to investigate the matter, which report was "that no 
compensation be allowed them, except to their Clerk, who 
shall receive $2.00 per year." Since 1838, the statutes have 
fixed the salary of the committee. 

The following persons have served as School Committee for 
the number of years indicated, their names following in the 
order of their first election, beginning with the year 1816: 



Schools 183 

Elijah Paine, Esq., 5; Joshua Howes, Jr., 1; Joseph Barber, 
3; Alvan Clark, 3; Peter Sears, 1; Ahira Sears, 1; Daniel 
Williams, 7; Henry Bassett, Esq., 9; Ebenezer Furbush, 1; 
David Lyon, 2; John Alden, 1; Samuel Shepherd, 1; Capt. 
Bethuel Lilly, 4 ; Dr. Enos Smith, 2 ; Dorus Graves, 1 ; Reuben 
Bement, 1; Lemuel Sears, 1; Dimmick Ellis, 3; Enos Harvey, 
3; Charles WilHams, 2; Roswell Williams, 1; Capt. James 
McFarland, 7; Dr. Atherton Clark, 6; Samuel Bement, 5; 
Sanford Boice, 4; Anson Bernent, 1; Elias Gray, 1; Anson 
Goodwin, 1; Israel Williams, 1; Cyrus Alden, 5; Russell 
Phillips, 1 ; Elisha Wing, 1 ; Rufus Bement, 1 ; Rev. Orra Mar- 
tin, 8; Rev. Lot Jones, 1; John Pease, 1; Walter Guilford, 1; 
Jasper Bement, 1; John C. Baldwin, 2; Charles Adams, 1; 
Horace Cole, 4; Jonathan Yeamans, 1; Rev. Mr. Withington, 
1; Rev. Thomas Shepard, 4; Wait Bement, 17; Robert A. 
Coffin, 1; Dr. Jared Bement, 3; Alvan Perry, 15; Rev. Silas 
Blaisdale, 1; Hiram Belding, 3; Daniel Forbes, 1; William 
Bassett, 1; Sumner Bement, 1; Manly Guilford, 4; Samuel 
Bassett, 6; Earl J. Merriam, 1; Rev. Burr Baldwin, 2; Rev. 
Jacob Pierson, 2; Rev. S. D. Clark, 2; Rev. Earl Guilford, 2; 
Rev. Wilham Norris, 2; Frederic Forbes, 13; Granville B. Hall, 
6; Dr. Sidney Brooks, 4; Silas Blake, 12; Rev. J. A. Stone, 2; 
Nathan Knowlton, 4; Joshua Knowlton, 4; F. G. Howes, 42; 
Miss Lydia Hall, 4; Miss Marietta Patrick, 1; William F. 
Bassett, 1 ; Rev. Edward Clark, 1 ; Rev. Willard Brigham, 2 ; 
L. C. Sanderson, 1; Levant F. Gray, 2; Francis E. Elmer, 3; 
Dr. J. R. Fairbanks, 1; Charles A. Hall, 10; Rev. Lewis Green, 
5; Rev. George Willard, 3; John M. Sears, 4; Mrs. Ameha S. 
Ford, 15; Charles Fisk, 2; George B. Church, 10; Rev. William 
Libby, 3; Dr. J. E. Urquhart, 15; Mrs. Effie G. Gardner, 8; 
Mrs. May G. Boice, 4 ; Charles Howes, 2. 

Among the early teachers employed were: Dimick Ellis; 
Daniel Forbes, who taught ninety-nine terms, including writing 
and singing schools ; Nancy Alden ; Mary Lyon ; Electa Lyon ; 
Betsey Smith ; Lydia Bassett Smith ; Hiram Belding, father of 
Belding Brothers, silk manufacturers; Alvan Perry; Samuel 
Bassett; Manly Guilford; Wait Bement; P. Emor>' Aldrich, 
afterwards Judge Aldrich of Worcester; H. L. Dawes, after- 
wards United States senator; Granville B. Hall, father of 
President G. Stanley Hall of Clark University; and later, 
Misses Lydia and Clarissa Hall; Miss Marietta P. Patrick, 



184 History of Ashfield 

afterwards Mrs. Harris; Miss Mehitable Bassett, afterwards 
Mrs. Chauncey Bryant of Greenfield; Miss Eliza Packard, 
aftenvards Mrs. L. E. Coleman. 

Miss Lydia Hall, afterwards Mrs. Miles, probably had the 
longest experience of any Ashfield teacher and most strongly 
impressed her individuality upon her pupils. One of the leading 
men of our town who died a few years since said, "I got more 
from Miss Hall than from all my other teachers in the common 
school." Her old pupils Hving and inany others will be glad to 
see her "Reminiscences," written in her ninetieth year, quoted 
here so freely. Since 1875, Mrs. Amelia Ford has been largely 
employed as teacher in our common and high schools. 

Alany of the teachers mentioned in the early years were men 
and women of character and ability, and afterwards made their 
mark as useful citizens of this and other states. Sometimes an 
odd genius for a teacher would drift in from other parts. Mrs. 
Miles tells of hearing in her young days the older people talk of 
old Master Cole who was at one time a teacher in the Steady 
Lane school. He was an Englishman and claimed to have been 
an officer in the army. It was said he made his morning prayer 
with one eye open and if any sly urchin saw fit to try to "cut 
up" he was liable to get a thump from the master's cane with- 
out seeming to disturb the thread of his devotions. Once during 
school hours in a fit of impatience he rushed upon the scholars 
in a certain part of the room with such fury that the seats were 
quickly emptied through doors and windows, to escape the 
blows of his descending cane. He always sent word to his 
boarding places that he wanted "boiled victuals" for supper 
and woolen sheets on his bed. In a sketch of early Conway is 
mentioned an old Master Cole, evidently the same, who used to 
wear his uniform and sword into the schoolroom, which inspired 
the pupils with fear lest at some time in a fit of his impatience 
they might find themselves headless. 

The literary qualifications of the teacher were not always of 
the highest order. Since the middle of the last century, a 
teacher (from another county) imparted the astounding geo- 
graphical information that from the meetinghouse on Peru 



Schools 185 

(Mass.) hill the water from the east side ran into the Atlantic 
Ocean, and^irom the west side into the Pacific Ocean. 

The teachers of the olden time with seventy-five or eighty 
pupils ranging from five to twenty-one years crowded into a 
small schoolroom had no enviable task. If the teacher had tact 
and was popular with the pupils, his path might be compara- 
tively smooth, but woe unto him if he lacked "government," 
or by his course incurred the enmity of those under him. Then 
there might be incipient mutiny and talk of carrying out the 
master and pitching him into a snowdrift, which was sometimes 
actually done. Hence committees, when in search of a teacher 
for a "hard school, " took in the physical, as well as the mental 
and moral status of the candidate. 

Notwithstanding all the criticism and ridicule that has been 
made of the old district system, there were many good features 
about it. Each district was a little republic in itself. At the 
annual and other meetings the moderator, clerk, prudential 
committees and other special committees were chosen so that 
the humblest citizen at some time in his life would have a chance 
to serve the public in some office, however small it might be. 
The general good of the district and the qualifications of the 
teachers were discussed, and frequently prudential committees 
were instructed by vote to hire certain teachers, so that every 
man felt he had a voice in the direction of the school. When 
the teacher was hired and the time came for the summer term, 
the teacher "boarded around," cheerfully walking a mile or a 
mile and a half to her boarding place, reserving the nearer 
places for the rainy nights. When winter came and the large 
boys flocked in, a "man teacher" was usually employed. He, 
too, "boarded around" and after the pork and beef were 
slaughtered, the sausages and mince pies made, he was welcome 
to the full larder. 

Many a pleasant evening was spent in chats with the old 
people, and in helping the children with their "sums" around 
the table, lighted by a tallow candle. And when the retiring 
hour came, what though the air and sheets in that northeast 
square room were of zero temperature, the hot bricks gave him 



186 History of Ashfield 

a warmth like that of the hearts of the parents who wished him 
the kindly "good night" and pleasant dreams. These frequent 
visits of the teachers to the parental roof gave them an insight 
into the home life of their pupils, their government there, and 
much else that widened their views and gave them preparation 
for better influence in their work. It established also a close 
bond of sympathy between parent and teacher. The good 
dames of the district made frequent visits of an afternoon with 
their knitting into the school, while on the closing or "examina- 
tion day" half the women of the district with a good sprinkling 
of the men were often present. The people of the district 
boarded the teacher and furnished the fuel, the boys "took 
turns" at building the fires, and the girls the same also in the 
care of the schoolroom. Not infrequently, when it was thought 
they were having a good school, money was raised by sub- 
scription for an extension or poll school. The early returns to 
the Board of Education show that as much was given in volun- 
tary contributions by the districts, as was furnished by the 
town . 

The spelling schools were interesting occasions. They chose 
sides and spelled down, there being a great strife on each side 
to get the best spellers. Sometimes the old folks spelled against 
the young folks with the understanding that only Webster's 
spelling book should be used. 

Sometimes the school in one district would challenge another 
to a spelling match and the little schoolhouse would be packed 
with contestants and spectators. 

Old fashioned lyceums were held in most of the districts in 
the winter. Outside talent was sometimes imported as a stimu- 
lus to the native element. Lot Bassett of Spruce Corner, Bela 
Gardner and Elijah Field of South Ashfield, Marcus T. Parker 
of Cape Street and Manly Guilford, were considered the star 
debaters of the town and were often called in to enliven the 
debates in the different districts. A paper and a critique were 
read and the questions were vigorously and intelligently dis- 
cussed, the village library being frequently drawn upon for 
sources of information. All, both old and young, were en- 



Schools 187 

couraged to take a part. "Ought American Slavery to be 
Abolished?" was a question much discussed. It is related of a 
lyceum in New Boston that a citizen of that locality desiring to 
contribute his share to the support of the lyceum, made his 
maiden efifort on this question thus: "Mr. President, regarding 
this question before the house, I believe that slavery is — I 
believe sir, that slavery is — that slavery is — that slavery is — 
is — a cussed thing," and took his seat. Before the winter was 
over, however, he became a substantial and helpful debater. 
Some of the graduates of these district lyceums from the ' ' back 
towns" have sometimes well held their own in the state legisla- 
ture against some of their fellow members supposed to have 
received much better educational advantages. Although 
without the state paternalism of the present day, there was a 
kindof self educational, intellectual and social life and vigor in 
these old-fashioned school districts that shotild have due 
commendation. 

In the Easy Chair of Harper's Monthly for October, 1867, Mr. 
Curtis writes of a visit to the Steady Lane school which was 
then on the comer below where Allison Howes now lives. 

And certainly there is no more striking and interesting sight 
than the common school in a remote country district. Let it 
be a summer afternoon, bright and not too warm. The school 
house, cheerfully painted white, stands upon a pleasant green 
where roads meet at the foot of a high green hill. There is 
nothing squalid or repulsive about the house, although it is 
very plain and the neighborhood is not rich. There is no ' ' yard 
for the green roads and the fields and hillsides are sufficient 
playground. It is the last day of the summer term, and the 
parents of the children and the friends of the children are in- 
vited and expected to come. The door and windows are all 
open, and the summer air plays as it will throughout the room. 
There are twenty scholars, the largest part girls, and the oldest 
of all about fifteen, the youngest six years old. They sit at 
separate solid wooden desks, and against the wall in front of 
them sit fathers and mothers, and in the teacher's desk the 
"school committee man, " with a winning smile and kind voice 
which should be enough to take all the sting out of "school." 

The teacher, a young woman not yet twenty, calls up the 
little classes. They respond promptly, each answering to his 



188 History of Ashfield 

number, filing into the space between the desks, and seating 
himself with folded arms upon the recitation bench. Each in 
turn rises and recites. Through reading, spelling, arithmetic, 
geography, they wind their way, staggering and tripping a little 
from bashfulness in the presence of strangers ; but the smallest 
girls and boys'pipe their replies in a ringing treble, and spell out 
the hard words in one syllable, and even two syllables, with a 
readiness and accuracy which are remarkable. The older children 
figure out really intricate sums upon the blackboard, and one, the 
oldest, shows a ready knowledge of the elements of physiology. 
The school committee man in his kind way, quietly asks ques- 
tions not in the book, simple problems, although the little folks 
rather shiver at these questions " out of his head, " but they 
answer so as to show that they have not learned by rote merely, 
but do actually understand what they have studied. 

One of the visitors looks at a boy who is helpful at home, who 
can mow, and hoe, and milk, and do a hundred necessary chores, 
yet is a little fellow still, and will try to catch him. "What is 
the capital of Kentucky"? Certainly the boy will say Louis- 
ville. But he promptly answers "Frankfort." "What is the 
capital of Louisiana?" "Baton Rouge. " "What is the largest^ 
city in Ohio?" "Cincinnati." Here is a little shaver whose 
father came from Ireland some years since, and settled among 
the country hills. He is just six years old, and he spells so 
nimbly that even a school committee man might be surprised. 

They are evidently hearty, merry children, who do not creep 
like snails unwillingly to school, who are not driven, but wisely 
led. They have picked in their gardens the bright flowers which 
are in the bowl upon the stove, and in the metal tumbler on the 
teacher's desk. They have studied well, they have learned a 
great deal, yet school is a pleasant place. It is kept for six 
months in the year only, except when there may be a subscrip- 
tion school, for the children are needed at home, and among 
these remote hills the farmer's family is his help as well as his 
pride and joy. 

This is the beginning of their citizenship. These are the roots 
of American civilization. This is the work which the reflective 
spectator of the frame school house in the Paris Exposition 
meditates. 

It may be interesting to note the distances scholars were 
obliged to travel to school. For a time when there were six 
families in Spiiice Comer they were obliged to send their chil- 
dren to the Plain school; then a log schoolhouse was built on 



Schools 189 

the old road south of where Wells and Charles Taylor now live. 
The Steady Lane district extended northerly to the Buckland 
line, so that the children of Jonathan Howes, four in number, had 
to walk from what is now the lower end of the state road near 
Charles Howes' up past David Williams', now F. H. Smith's, 
to the schoolhouse on the corner near Allison Howes'. David 
Williams had a large family of children who went to the same 
school. As has been noted. Briar Hill schoolhouse stood mid- 
way between the two roads east of Alvan Cross' house and for 
a time the children on what are now the Underbill and Ward 
farms went to school there. Two or three miles were sometimes 
tramped and no bills were presented for "Conveyance of 
Pupils. " 

In the early days before the limits and organization of the 
districts were defined and completed, school sites were some- 
times changed with scant formal proceedings. It is related that 
in the Northwest neighborhood, the schoolhouse was at the 
foot of the hill near the Buckland line, but the people on the hill 
thought the house "had been there long enough" so one day 
they gathered their teams together and went down and drew the 
building to the top of the hill nearly half a mile farther south, 
this without vote or order from any authority. 

To show the way our schools were managed eighty years ago 
we give a few verbatim extracts from the District account book 
for South Ashfield. 

Joseph Barber school committee for the year 1824. 

Hired Minerva A. Bennett to teach the school sixteen weeks 
at 4s. (66|c.) per week to begin the first Monday in May 1824. 

January 29, 1825, Received the school order $31.54. 

Jan. 29, Paid M. A. Bennett $10.67. 

1825, March 1, Paid George Hexford $20. 

May 1825 Anson Goodwin School Committee. 

Rec. of Joseph Barber $0.87 district money. 

Hired Eliza Barber to teach school twenty Weeks at $0.75 
per week to begin first Monday in May. The district voted to 
pay 16 weeks out of town order, the other four by poll. 

Rec. of Abner Rogers $5.92. 

Paid G. Hexford $7.00. 



190 History of Ashfield 

Hired Flora Graves to teach school eight weeks at 75cts per 
week. 

Jan. 1825 Rec. the town order $31.54. 

June 15, Paid Flora Graves $6.00. 

June 20, Paid Ehza Barber $9.00, $6 for town order, $3 for 
poll. 

Nov. Mr. Stephen Hayward was hired to teach school 3 
months at $12 per month to be paid by the town monev, 1 by 
poll. 

Apr. 3. Paid Mr. Hayward $19.33 town's money and $12 
for poll school. 

1826, May, Hired Louisa Rice to teach school 20 weeks for 
75 a week. 

Sept. Hired Louisa Rice to teach a poll school 8 weeks for 
75 cts per week. 

Board and wood were contributed by the district. 

In 1827 Samuel Bassett taught the winter school for $12 per 
month. 



CHAPTER XI 



THE ACADEMY AND LIBRARY 



Sanderson Academy was established by the Rev. Alvan 
Sanderson in 1816. It is doubtful if previous to this there was 
any school of higher grade than a common school. Mr. San- 
derson had been pastor of the Congregational Church for eight 
years, when his health failing, he resigned his pastorate and 
opened this school. He continued the superintendence of it 
only a year, when he died. At his death it was found that he 
had left a fund of about $1,500 for the support of the school. 
Mr. Sanderson was only thirty-six years of age at the time of 
his death, but the proofs of his self-sacrifice and disinterested- 
ness come down to us in so many ways, that his memory should 
not be forgotten by the people of this town. 

The board of trustees was organized soon after Mr. San- 
derson's death and was incorporated in 1821 under the name of 
the "Trustees of the Sanderson Academy and School Fund." 
Flourishing schools were held for ten or twelve years after this. 
Up to 1832, nearly one thousand pupils had attended the school 
from this and adjoining towns. Mary Lyon entered the school 
as a pupil in 1817, and was afterwards employed as teacher for 
several years, mainly as assistant, but for several terms in 1827 
and 1828 as principal. In 1832, there seemed to be a decline of 
interest in the school. The fund left by Mr. Sanderson was 
nearly all spent in repairs on the building and in other ways, and 
there is no record of trustees' meetings for three years. In 1834, 
the interest revived somewhat, and from that time to 1866, 
meetings of the trustees were kept up and schools maintained 
for the whole or part of the school year. After 1866 no meetings 
of the trustees were held for eleven years, although there were 
one or two terms of school held each year — some very successfiil, 
usually as a private enterprise. In 1877, Professor Charles 
Eliot Norton and George William Curtis, who some years before 
had established their summer homes in AsMeld, endeavored to 



192 History of Ashfield 

awaken an interest in the neglected institution. The records 
were hunted up, the board of trustees reorganized, and Professor 
Norton placed upon the board. Money was raised by sub- 
scription for repairing the building, Messrs. Norton and Curtis 
heading the list each with a liberal sum. The school was opened 
in the fall of 1879 and has had three full terms each year up to 
the present time. 

The first decade of the Academy seems to have been a very 
prosperous one. The trustees were fortunate in 1817 in securing 
Elihu Burritt for a teacher and Mary Lyon as a pupil. Mr. 
Burritt was an excellent teacher and a man of scholarly attain- 
ments. He was the author of a " Logarithmetick " and "Bur- 
ritt's Geography of the Heavens," an excellent class book on 
astronomy. The worth of Miss Lyon was early discovered and 
she was employed as preceptress in 1822. She continued in 
the school as assistant or principal for a portion of the time 
until the spring of 1828, after that teaching in Buckland several 
terms. It is doubtful if any teacher in Sanderson ever created 
such a moral and intellectual awakening as Miss Lyon. The 
impetus given to education by this and her Buckland schools 
must have been marked. Teachers from surrounding towns, 
by recommendation of Colonel Leavitt and other friends of 
education, came to her school to learn the best methods of in- 
struction. Miss Lyon writes that there is much interest in 
education and that she has visitors to her school almost daily. 
It is evident her heart was in the school and that she was sen- 
sible of the favors received from the family of Esquire White, 
with whom she made her home, and also from the other trustees. 
In 1823, when assistant with Mr. Converse, she writes: "The 
academy in which I am now engaged is an infant institution. 
The founder. Rev. Alvan Sanderson, was governed by the 
purest motives and I consider it a privilege to aid in carrying 
out his benevolent design. Many of its present guardians are 
my friends and from them I have received many favors. This 
is the school where I was principally educated, and to which I 
feel in no small degree indebted." And on leaving the school 
in 1828, she writes: "I find that this academy, where I have 



The Academy and Library 193 

received so much instruction and where I have labored so 
much from time to time, has taken a firmer hold of my affec- 
tions than I had supposed. It seems like bidding an old friend 
farewell, whom I do not expect to meet again." In the three 
biographies of Miss Lyon by Fidelia Fisk, Dr. Edward Hitch- 
cock, and that of Miss Gilchrist recently published, full 
accounts are given of her life in Ashfield. 

An advertisement in the Hampshire Gazette of October 24, 
1827, reads: 

Sanderson Academy — The winter term of fourteen weeks 
in this Academy commencing on the 10th of December next, 
will be devoted exclusively to the instruction of FEMALES, 
under the care of Miss Mary Lyon. The course of instruction 
will be essentially the same as was pursued the last winter, 
with the addition of Chirography. The price of board, including 
fuel and lights, from SI. 17 to $1.25. Tuition for the whole 
term of fourteen weeks, $3.50, to be paid at entrance. 

As the course of instruction, though short, will be systematic, 
it is important that the pupils should enter at the commence- 
ment. 

After Miss Lyon's withdrawal from the school Mr. Robert A. 
Coffin taught about two years. In his catalogue of the term 
ending November, 1829, he says: "In the course of instruction 
pursued in this Institution, the three principal objects of atten- 
tion are, fitting young gentlemen for college, furnishing well 
qualified instructors for our common schools, and disciplining 
the minds and increasing the information of those who connect 
themselves with us, without intending to pursue extensively a 
literary course." Mr. Coffin was an excellent teacher, as some 
now living can testify. He was the author of a very original 
and practical text book on Natural Philosophy. 

Up to this time probably nearly one thousand different pupils 
had attended this school. A note in one of the treasurer's bills 
at the close of the year 1826, says that six hundred and twenty 
pupils have attended this school. Of these, two hundred and 
fifteen were from out of town, seventeen had fitted for college, 
and forty-five had become teachers. 



194 History of Ashfield 

The records are somewhat meagre for quite a portion of the 
time up to 1879, when the board of trustees was reorganized, 
but we give the names of nearly if not all the teachers employed 
up to that time. Some were employed for one tenn, others for 
several. 

Rev. Alvan Sanderson, Elijah H. Burritt, Abijah Cross, Mary 
Lyon, Amasa Converse, A. Clark, B. B. Edwards, Horatio 
Flagg, Hannah White, Joseph Ladd, Robert A. Coffin, Rev. 
Lot Jones, Rev. Silas Blaisdell, P. Emory Aldrich, Mr. Hum- 
phrey, Ephraim Leonard, Rev. Francis Williams, Mr. Bonney, 
Horatio M. Porter, Henry L. Dawes, W. W. Mitchell, Rev. 
Hyman A. Wilder, Alden Porter Beals, Rev. Wilbur F. Loomis, 
Rev. William A. Lloyd, Abner T. Sherwin, Dr. E. R. Wheeler, 
Dr. Daniel M. Priest, Frederick G. Howes, B. Ellsworth Smith, 
Miss Sarah Stone, Miss Nettie Wilson, Miss Sarah Forbes, Mrs. 
W. E. Ford, Miss Lydia Hall. 

The late United States Senator Dawes taught in the spring 
and fall of 1841. Mr. Dawes leaves the record of a good dis- 
ciplinarian. It is related by one of his scholars that when one 
of the smart village boys attempted to play one of his favorite 
tricks upon the teacher, a nervy arm seized his collar and laid 
him in a horizontal position so suddenly that, as he afterwards 
expressed it, he didn't know how he came there. After Mr. 
Dawes came W. W. Mitchell, afterwards a prized teacher in the 
Chicopee High School and Hopkins' Academy of Hadley. It is 
evident that Mr. Dawes and Mr. Mitchell appreciated at least 
a portion of their school, for each of them took a wife to himself* 
from among his pupils. Senator Dawes marrying Electa, daugh- 
ter of Chester Sanderson, and Mr. Mitchell, Lucy, daughter of 
Anson Goodwin. 

Later Hyman A. Wilder, afterwards missionary to South 
Africa; Alden Porter Beals, since a successful teacher of high 
schools in Connecticut; Wilbur F. Loomis, a popular and much 
loved teacher for several terms, afterwards pastor of the Con- 
gregational Church at Shelbume Falls; W. A. Lloyd; Abner T. 
Sherwin and others have been employed. In 1871, Mr. Mitchell 



The Academy and Library 195 

assisted by Miss Lydia Hall, now Mrs. Miles, taught a success- 
ful school, the fall term numbering sixty pupils. 

The first trustees of the institution were no common men. 
As the description comes down to us, it must have been a notable 
gathering when they rode into the village to attend the meetings 
in the humble academy building. The scholarly and dignified 
Rev. Joseph Field of Charlemont, the devout Rev. Josiah 
Spaulding of Buckland, the respectable Esquire Billings of 
Conway, Gen. Thomas Longley of Hawley, "a General and 
gentleman everywhere, and never off duty," the lawyer, Esq. 
Paine, the town magistrates, Esq. White and Esq. Williams, 
and the state senator. Dr. Enos Smith. An old lady ends her 
description of these men, "Why! There were giants in those 
days. " Among the trustees added soon after its incorporation 
were Rev. Theophilus Packard of Shelburne, Rev. Moses 
Miller of Heath, Rev. Edward Hitchcock of Conway, after- 
wards president of Amherst College, Dr. Atherton Clark, Rev. 
Thomas Shepard, Asa Sanderson, Dimock Ellis and Samuel 
Bement of Ashfield. Trustees afterwards chosen were Hiram 
Belding, Sanford Boice, Samuel W. Hall, Moses Cook, Alvan 
Perry, Esq. Mr. Perry was active in the repairs of the Academy 
in 1854, as was also A. W. Crafts, another of the trustees. H. S. 
Ranney, Esq., served continuously on the board for forty-five 
years and was for twenty years its President. Rev. Lewis 
Green, late of Greenfield, was for a number of years on the 
board and was a warm friend of the Academy. 

Among the men who received their early education at this 
Academy are twenty-nine who became ministers, and four at 
least who became lawyers. Many of these fitted for college 
here. Some of those who became preachers were Alvah Lilly, 
William Bement, Rufus B. Bement, Elijah Paine, William P. 
Paine, John C. Paine, John Alden, Melzar Parker, Hart Pease, 
Adiel Harvey, Charles S. Porter, Morris E. White, Francis 
Williams, Oliver M. Sears, also Leonard Bement, Willis Ranney, 
Francis Gillette, lawyers, and Alonzo Lilly, a successful busi- 
ness man, all from Ashfield. The students from Hawley who 
became preachers were Alfred Longley, Moses Longley, Rufus 



196 History of Ashfield 

Taylor, Timothy Taylor. Other students who entered the 
ministry were Benjamin F. Brown, William Williams and 
Alvan Stone of Goshen, John R. Bigelow of Cummington, 
Jeremiah Pomeroy of Southampton, Jeremiah Hall and Orrin 
Johnson of Colrain, Levi H. Corson, Shelbume, Erastus Dick- 
enson of Plainfield, and Lebbeus Rood of Buckland. Later 
came Joseph Hall, for twenty-five years principal of the Hartford 
High School; Rev. Henry C. Perry, missionary to Turkey; 
Rev. Robert Hall, late of Somerville, Mass.; Eugene C. 
Gardner, Springfield's esteemed architect; and last, but not 
least. Dr. G. Stanley Hall, of Clark University. 

At the Ashfield centennial, forty -five years ago, there were 
many kind and appreciative words for the institution, from 
men who had been its pupils. The historian. Rev. Dr. William 
P. Paine, said: "Many residents of this and other towns, in 
the early and palmy days of the institution, availed themselves 
of its privileges, and a speedy change in good order, intelligence 
and intellectual aspirations was marked. Many were prepared 
for college who have served in the various professions and in 
business with honor and success. The good influence of this 
enterprise has been quite manifest in the town for the last half 
century. It now has many sons and daughters ready to rise 
up and do it homage." 

To revive the interest in this old and honored institution and 
to place it again upon a permanent footing was a problem over 
which Messrs. Norton and Curtis labored. The narrow path 
across the lot from one summer house to the other was well worn 
by the frequent visits back and forth, and with other and 
broader subjects, plans for the little Academy were often dis- 
cussed. To repair the old and dilapidated academy building 
which stood opposite the hotel, seemed to be the first thing to 
do. A paper was left at one of the stores to receive subscrip- 
tions for that object. After remaining there several weeks with 
only a few dollars on the paper it was sent for by Messrs. Curtis 
and Norton and when returned, had on it their names for a 
liberal sum, I think $300 each, "Provided an equal sum be 
raised from the citizens of the town in two weeks." This 



The Academy and Library 197 

looked like business; the trustees and others interested woke 
up, the town was canvassed, the money raised in the specified 
time, and the academy building thoroughly repaired. Mr. 
Norton was chosen one of the trustees and plans were formed 
for raising a fund for the institution which should make it self- 
supporting for three terms in the year. Circulars were sent to 
sons and daughters of Ashfield, and other means adopted for 
raising funds. Among these were the Ashfiield Academy din- 
ners. As these became somewhat noted, we quote from the 
Greenfield Centennial Gazette and Boston papers a list of the 
speakers at those dinners so far as they are there given. 

September, 11, 1879 — Professor Charles Eliot Norton of 
Harvard, Rev. Lewis Green, Josephus Crafts, W. W. Mitchell, 
Col. Hart Leavitt, Dr. Josiah Trow, Prof. W. F. Sherwin, 
George William Curtis. August, 1880 — Prof. Norton, Rev. 
Arthur Shirley, Joseph Griswold, William Dean Howells, Rev. 
J. F. Moors, Col. Leavitt, Rev. J. B. Harrison, Prof. Fisk of 
"Sanderson," M. G. Clark, the Orientalist, Rev. J. W. Chad- 
wick, G. W. Curtis. August 25, 1881— Prof. Norton, Charles 
Dudlev Warner, Prof. G. Stanley Hall, Rev. J. W. Chadwick, 
Rev. j. F. Moors, Fred'k G. Howes, Rev. Mr. Matthews, Hon. 
George Sheldon, Judge C. C. Conant, G. W. Curtis. August 
24, 1882 — Prof. Norton, Josephus Crafts, Rev. Lewis Greene, 
Prof. G. Stanley Hall, Rev. J. W. Chadwick, V. M. Porter, in 
the Legislature of that year, G. W. Curtis. August 29, 1883— 
In the absence of Prof. Norton, Mr. Curtis presided. William 
Whiting, M. C, Prof. Perry, Rev. J. F. Moors, Prof. Hall, S. T. 
Field, Esq., Major Henry Winn, Rev. J. W. Chadwick. August 
22, 1884— Prof. Norton, Prof. Fisk, Prof. Hall, Rev. Ames, then 
of Philadelphia, Rev. J. W. Chadwick, William Hall, G. W. 
Curtis. August 27, 1885— Prof. Norton, Prof. Hall, C. P. 
Cranch, J. B. Harrison, James Russell Lowell, G. W. Curtis. 
August 26, 1886— Prof. Norton, Prof. Hall, Rev. J. W. Chad- 
wick, W. D. Howells, G. W. Cable, Fred Howes, G. W. Curtis. 
August 25, 1887— Prof. Norton, President Hall, Charles Dudley 
Warner, Hon. Geo. Sheldon, G. W. Curtis. August 23, 1888— 
Prof. Norton, Rev. J. W. Chadwick, J. B. Harrison, President 
Seelye of Smith College, Geo. W. Cable, G. W. Curtis. August 
22, 1889— Prof. Norton, Prof. Hall, Prof. F. A. Tupper, Rev. 
C. B. F. Pease, Joseph H. Choate, G. W. Curtis. August 28, 
1890 — Prof. Norton, Chauncey Boice, Solomon Field, Timothy 



198 History of Ashfield 

G. Spaulding, Rev. P. V. Finch, Prof. Hall, Schoolmaster 
Mitchell of Cummington, Charles Goodwin, G. W. Curtis. 
August 27, 1891— Prof. Norton, President Hall, Rev. J. W. 
Chadwick, Edward Atkinson, Rev. Robert Collyer, Hon. Ed- 
ward J. Phelps, G. W. Curtis. 1892— Mr. Curtis having died, 
there was no dinner. 1893 — Prof. Norton, Hon. Wayne Mc- 
Veagh and Stanley Hall were the principal speakers, and touch- 
ing words of eulogy of Curtis were spoken by all. 1894 — 
Charles Dudley Warner, John W. Chadwick, Archibald Howe, 
Rev. C. B. F. Pease. 1895— Prof. Norton, Ex.-Gov. William 
E. Russell, Prof. A. H. Tolman. 1896— Prof. Norton, Hon. 
Wm. H. Rice of Albany, Miss Lizzie M. Curtis, Prof. Thomas 
of Lake Forest University, Illinois, Rev. Mr. Chadwick and 
Rev. Mr. Pease. 1897 — Prof. Norton, President Mendenhall 
of the Worcester Tech., Frank McVeagh and the Rev. Dr. 
Randtaler of Chicago. 1898— Prof. Norton, Dr. Philip S. 
Moxom of Springfield, Booker T. Washington, Hon. Sherman 
E. Rogers of Buffalo. 1899— Prof. Norton, Sen. H. C. Parsons 
of Greenfield, Rev. Dr. A. H. Plumb, Charles Dudley Warner, 
Miss Lizzie Curtis and Dr. Chadwick. 1900 — Prof. Norton, 
Prof. Josiah Rovce of Harvard, Richard Henry Dana. Dr. G. 
Stanley Hall. 1901— Prof. Norton, Ex.-Gov. D. H. Chamber- 
lain, Hon. Charles S. Hamlin of Boston. 1902 — Prof. Norton, 
E. Burritt Smith of Chicago, Louis E. Erich of Colorado Springs. 
1903— the 25th and last— Prof. Norton, Dr. G. Stanley Hall as 
"Sanderson Academy's sample scholar," Frederick G. Howes 
for the Trustees, President Pritchett of the Mass. Institute 
Tech., Mrs. Booker T. Washington, Sir Frederick Pollock, and 
Prof. Norton's Valedictory. 

Professor Norton was aware of failing health and vigor and 
at the close of a quarter of a century of the dinners he decided 
it best to cease his connection with them. General regret was 
expressed at their cessation and some pressure was made to 
have them continued, but the trustees felt that without Mr. 
Norton at the head, it would be very difficult to sustain their 
reputation. There were some people from out of town who 
attended most of the dinners during the twenty-five years. 
There were those who criticised some of the views expressed by 
Mr. Norton very severely, but none doubted his sincerity or 
could but respect the fearlessness with which they were spoken. 
Time and a broader charity will probably show that he was 



The Academy and Library 199 

nearer right than his criticisers. The people of the town grew 
to feel a pride in the reputation of the dinners and when the 
town was annually canvassed for supplies, gave freely what was 
asked, then many of them went to the dinner and paid a dollar 
a plate for the privilege. Some one lady usually had the general 
charge of the dinner, selecting her assistants and the waiters. 
Among those having charge and giving efficient service were: 
Mrs. Benjamin Carter, Mrs. Joshua Hall, Mrs. Almon Bronson, 
Mrs. Alvan Hall and Mrs. W. E. Ford. The trustees who were 
active with Professor Norton in making the general arrange- 
ments for the dinners were Rev. Lewis Greene, Esquire Ranney, 
A. D. Flower, Alvan Hall and Charles A. Hall. The total net 
receipts from the twenty-five dinners and the triennial fairs 
held were about $7,400. 

When Mr. Sanderson first located the Academy here, there were 
only two dwellings on that side of the street west of the corner, 
so that the students had sufficient playground without dis- 
turbing the citizens. But in time, as the population of the 
village increased, houses were built near the lot, and there was 
trouble between the occupants and the pupils, so that at times 
the selectmen were called upon to prohibit ball playing and 
other games in the street fronting the Academy. In 1885, Mr. 
John W. Field of Philadelphia, who had also made Ashfield his 
summer home, hearing of the trouble with the boys, investigated 
the matter and finally bought a lot of three and one-half acres 
near the village, which he presented to the Academy as a play- 
ground for the pupils. The lot was named by the trustees the 
"Field of Ashfield, " in honor of its giver. In the winter of 1887, 
Mr. Field died. His remains were brought here for burial, as 
he had expressed a desire to be buried in the cemetery near his 
summer home, in the town which he had come to respect and to 
love. July 27, of the same year, the trustees received a letter 
from Mrs. Eliza W. Field, the wife of Mr. Field, in which she 
said: 

Desirous that there should be in Ashfield a permanent 
memorial of my dear husband, of such character as to promote 
the best interests of the communitv, and to connect his name 



200 History of Ashfield 

with its permanent life, I propose to present you in trust, the 
sum of seventy-five hundred dollars, for the following objects: 
I wish with this sum a memorial building, to be called the 
' Field Memorial Hall ' of the Sanderson Academy, should be 
erected under your charge, suitably designed and arranged to 
afford proper accommodations to the Academy for the library, 
for the existing museum and such other collections as may be 
added to it, and for such other cognate objects as it may seem 
wise for you to provide for. I trust that arrangements may be 
made by which the Library shall be free to all who may wish to 
make use of it, and shall be open whenever in your judgment 
it can be of service. My husband had very much at heart Free 
Libraries. I purpose at some future time to add to the Library 
the bulk of the collection of books belonging to my husband and 
myself, a large collection of photographs, many interesting oil 
paintings and our collection of bronzes. 

The trustees took action in the matter at once, and after 
thorough consideration as to the site of the new building, de- 
cided to locate it upon the three acre lot which had already been 
given by Mr. Field. The new location would not perhaps be as 
convenient, but would have the advantage of ample and pleasant 
playgrounds for the pupils, at such a distance from the street 
and dwellings as would not be a disturbance to the citizens. 
The building was designed by Howard Walker, a Boston archi- 
tect, and the plan approved by the trustees. On advertising 
for bids, it was found that no contractor was willing to complete 
the building for the sum given. It was then proposed to leave 
out the gymnasium building and shed, but Mrs. Field was un- 
willing that this should be done, and advanced SI, 500 more, 
making $9,000 in all for the buildings. The contract was then 
awarded to Mr. H. Worden of Hoosac Falls, the lowest bidder, 
and satisfactorily completed by him in the fall of 1888. Mrs. 
Field gave other sums towards enlarging the grounds, furnishing 
the building, etc., which raised the total amount to more than 
$10,000. 

The building was formally dedicated July 24, 1889. A. D. 
Flower, Esq., presided on the occasion, Frederick G. Howes 
read an historical sketch of the Academy and Mr. Curtis gave 
an address. 



The Academy and Library 201 

In September of that year the school was opened in the new 
building. 

Mrs. Field was not satisfied to have the institution remain 
as an Academy, partly supported by tuition paid by the pupils. 
She desired to make it free to all the children of the town of a 
suitable grade. In order to do this she proposed to pay over to 
the Academy annually for two years the sum of $500 provided 
the town would raise a like sum and make the school free, after- 
wards she would place on trust a sum, the income of which 
would equal that amount. Besides the sums received from the 
fairs and dinners, there came frequent gifts from the Norton 
and Curtis families, from "Friends, " from Mrs. Field and from 
natives and citizens of the town. Mrs. Field deeded her Cross 
Hill Cottage place to the trustees which was afterwards sold to 
Mr. Farragut and Mrs. Curtis for $7,500. 

In 1903, Alvan Sanderson, a nephew of Rev. Alvan Sanderson, 
the founder, died and left the Academy by will about $5,000. 
It was the earnest wish and effort of Mr. Norton to add every 
cent that could be spared above the annual expenses, to the 
permanent fund. This fund now amounts to about $23,000, 
and is cared for by the "Trustees of the Sanderson Academy 
School Fund," consisting at present of Messrs. Church, Boice 
and Urquhart. 

Since the opening of the school in 1879 for three terms in a 
year, in the old Academy, the teachers were as follows: C. A. 
Fisk, 1879-84; Wm. S. Cooper, 1884-85; Stephen Ryder, 
Cari M. Scott, Charies H. Clark, 1885-86; Phebe P. Hall, 
1886-88; Bertha Chase, 1888-89; Martha E. Hersey, 1889- 
96; Orren Henry Smith, 1896-1900; F. C. Hosmer, 1900- 
02; Morton A. Sturtevant, 1902-05; Walter H. Fletcher, 
1905-06; Burton W. Sanderson, 1906-07; Nahum Leonard, 
1907-10. The assistants were Carrie I. Doane, 1889-92; 
Lucy E. Keith, 1892-93; Louise Dickinson, 1893-94; Nancy 
K. Hubbard, 1895-96; Nellie A. Smith, 1896-97; Amelia S. 
Ford, 1897-1911; Julia A. Kelley, 1904-05; Amelia C. Boy- 
tano, 1907-09; Bertha Nead, 1907-08; Faye C. Dame, 1908- 
09; Olive H. Hubbard, 1909-10. 



202 History of Ashfield 

We have no accurate record of the number of pupils previous 
to 1889. Since that time the yearly attendance has been as 
follows : 



Year 


No. Pupils 


No. Grads. 


Year 


No. Pupils 


No. Gracls. 


1889 


48 





1900 


38 


6 


1890 


48 





1901 


31 


7 


1891 


40 


3 


1902 


30 


3 


1892 


40 


11 


1903 


32 





1893 


37 


8 


1904 


35 


14 


1894 


37 


3 


1905 


30 


7 


1895 


37 


16 


1906 


27 


1 


1896 


39 


6 


1907 


54 


7 


1897 


40 


9 


1908 


55 


5 


1898 


41 


6 


1909 


58 


7 


1899 


30 


5 


1910 


69 


5 








1911 


76 


16 



Mr. C. L. Judkins, the newly elected superintendent, in the 
winter of 1907, after thoroughly satisfying himself of the worth 
and advantages of the Academy and High School in this town, 
took pains to acquaint the surrounding towns with these ad- 
vantages, resulting in an increased attendance, as the list shows. 
Two years later he became satisfied that if the capacity of the 
building could be increased and certain improvements made, 
the number of pupils could be increased to eighty or a hundred. 
To obtain funds to do this he opened correspondence with all 
who were supposed to be interested in the Academy, with the 
result that nearly $6,000 was raised. Mr. M. M. Bel ding gave 
$2,000, the town voted $1,000, the trustees, $500, and about 
$2,500 was raised by Mr. Judkins in contributions from outside 
parties, ranging from $25 to $200. 

The library was moved to the lower room of the town hall, 
so that the whole building could be utilized for the school, giving 
in the upper story an assembly room capable of seating eighty- 
five pupils, and a physical laboratory, while in the lower part 
are two recitation rooms and a chemical laboratory. Modern 
plumbing and steam heat were put in the building. 

With all these changes, it ought not to be forgotten that the 
Fields were the greatest pecuniary benefactors of the Academy, 



The Academy and Library 203 

having given in all over $20,000, and that the Academy was 
erected by Mrs. Field as a memorial building to her husband. 
The grounds should still bear the name of the "Field of San- 
derson Academy" and the upper assembly room should not 
lose the name of "Field Memorial Hall of Sanderson 
Academy." 

The trustees who labored for years so faithfully in the in- 
terest of the Academy and who have now passed away must 
not be forgotten. Moses Cook, Rev. Lewis Greene, Chauncey 
Boice, Charles F. Goodwin, Alvan Hall, Charles Howes, and 
Henry S. Ranney were earnest workers in this institution. 
After the death of Mr. Ranney in 1899, the following testimonial 
was presented and read by Professor Norton at a meeting of the 
Directors and placed upon the records of the Board. 

In the death of the late Henry S. Ranney, Sanderson Acad- 
emy has suffered as grave a personal loss as could befall it. For 
more than forty-five years a member of this Board, and for 
twenty-two years its President, Mr. Ranney gave to the Acad- 
emy the full benefit of those qualities of mind and character 
which made him one of the most useful and respected citizens 
of Ashfield. His sound judgment, his liberal disposition, his 
intimate acquaintance with the affairs of the town all combined 
to make his services to the Academy of special value, while his 
genial and kindly spirit, his ready friendliness and his even 
temper won for him the warm and affectionate regard and 
respect of his associates. 

Desirous that an expression of their sense of his worth and of 
their own loss should appear upon their Records, the Trustees 
of Sanderson Academy adopt the foregoing words in place of 
any formal resolution, and desire the Secretary to enter them 
upon the Records. 

libraries in ashfield 

In 1815, an association called the Second Social Library was 
formed in town. Tradition says, and the name would imply that 
a library existed prior to this, but there are no records and no 
definite information regarding it, although there is some evi- 
dence it was in South Ashfield. The first meeting of the Second 
Social Library was called for by a petition signed by fourteen 



204 History of Ashfield 

persons. The preamble to the constitution reads as follows: 

Being governed by motives of social as well as of private 
interest, and being sensible that no body of men whatever can 
unite together in a compact like this without certain rules and 
regulations whereby they are to be directed and governed, 
therefore. We, etc. 

The first officers chosen were Ephraim Williams, moderator; 
William Bassett, clerk; Jonathan Lilly, Jr., collector; Capt. 
Roswell Ranney, treasurer; James McFarland, librarian, the 
books to be kept at his house. (Mr. McFarland lived where 
Otto Jacobson does.) Meetings of the members were to be held 
quarterly, when all the books were to be brought in and others 
drawn. The books were to be looked over, fines imposed and 
paid. Books could be drawn between the meetings at any time 
after returning the books drawn. At first, only one book coiild 
be drawn on a share, later, three. None of the officers received 
any salary. Even the librarian furnished rent, heat, light and 
services free until 1843, when the librarian was voted S2.00 a 
year for "taking care of the library." Of course, in the early 
years the number of books was small and could be easily moved, 
and the library migrated from one house to another as one 
after another of the prominent citizens would consent to have 
the care of it. After three years' sojourn with Captain Mc- 
Farland, the other librarians that followed were Horatio 
Bartlett, William Williams, John C. Baldwin, Dr. Atherton 
Clark, Dr. Jared Bement, Alvan Perry, Capt. Joseph Upton. 
From 1839 to 1843, L. C. Sanderson; 1843 to 1847, H. S. Ran- 
ney; 1847, back to L. C. Sanderson, where the library was kept 
in his shop for fourteen years with Mr. Sanderson for librarian. 

The price of shares at the beginning was' $3.00, and the annual 
tax, 50 cts. 

Besides the librarians mentioned, some of the other principal 
supporters of the library were Capt. William Bassett, Jonathan 
Lilly, Jr., Capt. Roswell Ranney, Col. Nehemiah Hathaway, 
Joseph Griswold, Capt. Thomas W. White, Rev. Dr. Thomas 
Shepard, George Bassett, Daniel Howes, Marcus T. Parker-, 
Wait Bement, Esq., Thomas C. Sears. 



The Academy and Library 205 

The library seems to have been well conducted on business 
principles, and the by-laws were strictly enforced. The re- 
turned books were carefully examined, the fines rigidly and 
impartially imposed, and cheerfully and promptly paid by the 
patrons, who realized that the money would go for the good of 
the library to which they were always loyal. As specimens, we 
note a few of the fines recorded, which were evidently in the 
times of tallow candles. 

Dr. Atherton Clark Greas 

Charles Adams turning down a leaf 

Capt. Bethuel Lilly damage . 

Abner Rogers dirt, grease and tearing 

Elijah Paine Esq., dirt 

Capt. Justus Smith not returning . 

Capt. William Bassett dirt 

Daniel Forbes turning down two leaves 

Abel Williams dirt in Cook's Voyages 

Austin Lilly dirt in Boswell's Life of Johnson 

Eli Eldredge Jr., dirt in Life of Washington 

The fines were carefully and conscientiously graded from 3 
to 50 cents. 

Among the first hundred books bought were Himie's History 
of England, Bancroft's Life of Washington, Rollins' Ancient 
History, 8 Vols., Cowper's Poems, Irving's Works as published, 
Scott's Works, 6 Vols., Vattel's Law of Nations, Life of Frank- 
lin. Later, Dickens' Works as fast as published, were pur- 
chased, and care was taken to furnish only the better class of 
books. The library was well patronized and had a strong edu- 
cational influence. The Librarian's book, where the books were 
charged to different individuals, shows that a good class of 
reading was selected. Not a few men and women acquired a 
good general knowledge of history and English literature as 
well as of other subjects. Joseph Hall, uncle of Charles A. Hall, 
Principal of the Hartford High School for twenty-five years, 
also Principal emeritus until his death, once said, "That old 
library kept down in Sanderson's shoe shop did more for me 
than the Academy ever did." It is indeed a serious question 



6M 


cts 


3 


cts 


9 


cts 


39 


cts 


3 


cts 


50 


cts 


8 


cts 


6 


cts 


10 


cts 


3 


cts 


12 


cts 



206 History of Ashfield 

whether the h'ttle hbrary of five hundred well selected volumes 
was not of more real value than our library of six thousand 
volumes, with the disposition and fierce demand for only the 
light and fleeting fiction of the day as reading. 

After the election of R. H. Ranney as librarian and the re- 
moval of the books as before noted, the next entry is by Mr. 
H. S. Ranney, his son having enlisted and gone to war. It is 
as follows: "The time for the annual meeting, Sept. 2nd, 1862, 
passed without the meeting being held. (Note.^The lack of 
interest in the meeting may be attributed to the great attention 
to the war forced upon us by the slave holding Rebels.)" 
During the war the meetings were kept up with only a small 
attendance and httlc interest until November 28, 1866. Mr. 
Ranney as secretary has this entry: 

The members, or owners of this Library purchased books 
and kept the business along until Nov. 28, 1866, when 
a meeting was held by common consent, and it was then 
Voted: to dispose of the books and property of this Library. 
The books were divided into ten piles — and then the 
choice in the piles of books — or bunches of books — was set 
up to the highest bidder, until all the lots were thus 
distributed among the owners. The whole number of books 
thus disposed of was over 450 — and the number of owners of 
shares was ten. The fact of there having been a new Library 
just estabhshed in this town, called "The Ashfield Library 
Association " rendered it unnecessary and undesirable to con- 
tinue this organization longer in existence, therefore Voted: 
That this Library Association which has had an honorable and 
useful existence for over half a century, be now dissolved. This 
vote was passed unanimously. 

A true record of said meeting. 
Attest 

H. S. Ranney, Secretary. 

Our new summer residents, Charles Eliot Norton and George 
William Curtis, had noted the decline of the old library, and 
November 9, 1866, partly through their influence a meeting 
was held which resulted in the formation of a new organization 
called the Ashfield Library Association. Rev. Lewis Greene 
was elected president, Rev. E. C. Ewing, secretary. Most of 



The Academy and Library 207 

the members of the old Hbrary turned in their books, Messrs. 
Curtis and Norton gave quite a quantity of books and each 
gave a lecture for the benefit of the library, the proceeds amount- 
ing to $132. The shares were placed at $5 each, with an annual 
tax of $1. In less than six months, sixty shares were sold and 
the library placed on an excellent footing. A pleasant room 
was hired over Mr. Almon Bronson's store, (now Mr. Henry's) 
and Miss Miranda Smith appointed librarian at a salary of $25 
a year. The library became a popular institution. Mr. Addison 
Graves by bequest in his will gave $100, Mr. George C. Good- 
win $50, for its support, and Mr. Alonzo Lilly $50 for the pur- 
pose of buying shares for those having large families who did 
not already have the privilege of the library, these families to 
be selected by Mr. George Bassett. In 1882, Mr. Lilly placed 
in the hands of three trustees, Mr. Charles Howes, Mr. Chaun- 
cey Boice, and Mr. Charles Lilly, the sum of $1,500, the annual 
income of which was to be used for the benefit of the library. 
In a letter to the trustees regarding the fund he says : 

Feeling an interest in the disposition you may make of this 
money, I have been looking around for securities, but find none 
I like as well as the credit of the town of Ashfield. As the in- 
terest arising from this money to the town is returned to it 
again, or rather to its own Library, (in which every man, woman 
and child in Ashfield is so largely interested,) I will not doubt 
that the town will consent to receive this money as a loan, for 
an indefinite time, and to pay a just and generous rate of interest 
semi-annually for its use. The aid this interest will give, to- 
gether with the larger aid that the inhabitants of the town can 
give by becoming subscribers to it, will give a prosperity and 
perpetuity to the library, in which the town may justly take 
great pride. 

In view of the fact that by the payment of a very small sum 
of money, every inhabitant of the town can become a stock- 
holder, entitling him to the reading of fifty or more volumes 
each year, (a library of itself), I cannot doubt that every in- 
habitant will feel it his duty and pleasure to become a patron. 
No town can afford to be without a library, and it should be a 
good one. 

Truly yours, 

Alonzo Lilly. 



208 History of Ashfield 

The town accepted the loan and for several years paid 6% per 
annum for the use of the money, thus giving $90 for the benefit 
of the library. In 1887, through an unwise policy, under the 
plea of economy, the rate was reduced to 4%, thus giving the 
library only $60. In 1881, there being a convenient room in 
the second story of the old Academy, it was proposed to remove 
the library to that place. There was some opposition, but it 
was carried by a vote of 26 to 11. At an adjourned meeting 
two weeks later, a vote to reconsider was lost by a vote (in 
person and by proxy) of 65 to 17, and the library was moved. 

In 1887, the following letter was received from Mrs. John W. 
Field: 

Cross Hill Cottage, July 27, 1887. 
Mr. F. G. Howes, 

Sec. and Treas. of the Library Association of Ashfield. 
My Dear Sir:— 

As Mr. Wadhams, President of the Library Association, is 
not in town, I address myself to the Association through you. 
In offering to the trustees of Sanderson Acadeni}' a sum of 
money, $7,500, to be expended for educational purposes to the 
advantage of our town of Ashfield and its vicinity, I had also a 
purpose expressed in full in my letter to them regarding the 
Library which I now state to you in greater detail. 

I wish to provide a spacious room for your Library, where I 
now desire to place a large portrait of my husband of very great 
merit as a work of art, and in the winter to place there a large 
number of water colors, oil paintings, photographs, reclaiming 
them for the cottage in the summer tiine, and these will at my 
death belong to the Library Association, together with a large 
number of valuable and interesting books and some bronzes of 
beauty and interest, on the condition that the Library be con- 
stituted a free Library for the people of Ashfield. 

My husband, to honor whose memory is my purpose in this 
proposal, was very much interested that libraries should be free. 

The sympathy which has been shown me here leads me to 
hope that you will understand the force of my desire in making 
the above condition, and that you will gratify me by arranging 
to comply therewith. 

Yours Respectfully and Truly, 

Eliza W. Field. 



The Academy and Library 209 

At a special meeting of the Association held August 5, 1887, 
it was Voted: "That we tender to Mrs. Eliza W. Field our 
sincere thanks for the proposition contained in her letter to this 
Association, and that we appreciate not only her kindness to 
this institution, but also her generosity in wishing to make it 
free to all the inhabitants of the town. Voted: That it is the 
expression of this meeting that the Association should accept 
the proposition of Mrs. Field, with the condition that if at 
any future time there seems to be no adequate income for the 
proper support of the library, a sufficient sum may be charged 
for the use of. books to prevent the decline of the library, and 
that the sum paid for the use of books be still continued until 
an equivalent sum from some other source takes its place. 
Voted; That Mrs. Field's letter be entered on the records of 
the Association, in connection with this vote. " 

At the annual meeting, October 5, of the same year, it was 
Voted: "That in order to further the carrying out of Mrs. 
Field's proposition, we hereby offer to rent the library to the 
town for the free use of all its inhabitants under the by-laws and 
regulations of the Association, for the sum of One hundred and 
fifty dollars per annum. " 

At a special meeting called June 7, 1889, the following letter 
was read: 

To the Directors of the Ashfield Library Association. 

Gentlemen: — In a letter bearing date of July 19, 1887, Mrs. 
John W. Field presented the Trustees of Sanderson Academy 
a certain sum of money for the purpose of building a new Acad- 
emy, with instnictions to furnish a room in said Academy build- 
ing suitable for the use of the Library Association for the 
Library, provided the Library be made free to the citizens of 
the town. The building is now completed, and in it, on the 
second floor a room for your use free of charge on the above 
condition. Trusting it will meet with your approbation. 

We are, very respectfully, 
Archibald D. Flower, for the Ex. Com. 

It was then voted : 

That we accept the above invitation and remove the library 
to the new Academy building, it being understood as a con- 
tinuation and carrying out the vote of the Association taken 



210 History of Ashfield 

Aug. 5, 1887, in response to Mrs. Field's proposition recorded 
on page 22. Voted: that the time and manner of moving the 
books be left with the directors. 

From the records of the annual meeting the same year we 
quote : 

Whereas the Library Room provided by Mrs. J. W. Field 
in the new Field Memorial Building of the Sanderson Academy 
and High School of Ashfield has now been occupied and applied 
to its intended use, the Ashfield Library Association at its 
annual meeting on the 2nd of Oct., 1889, Resolved, that not only 
for themselves but in behalf of the town at large they request 
Mrs. Field to accept this exDression of their gratitude to her 
for her devoted interest in all that concerns the welfare of the 
town, and especially for her generosity and wise forethought 
in providing and furnishing with all its various appliances so 
convenient, commodious, and beautiful a library room for the 
free use of all the people of Ashfield. 

With the exception of two years when absent, Mr. Curtis 
gave an annual lecture for the benefit of the Library, in all, 
twenty-three lectures, the results from which amounted to 
about $1,400. In the Secretary's book, under date of October 5, 
1892, is the following entry: 

We desire to place upon permanent record our recognition 
and grateful appreciation of the valuable services rendered this 
institution by the late George William Curtis. In connection 
with Prof. Norton he was instrumental in the formation of the 
library, and for twenty-five years he has been its constant 
benefactor and friend; not only helping us by his donations 
and eloquent annual lectures, but by the kindly interest he has 
shown in all plans for making the library a means of help and 
improvement to the people of Ashfield. " 

Professor Norton also gave valuable aid by donations of books 
and by lectures and readings. 

President G. Stanley Hall has given nine lectures for the 
benefit of the Library. 

Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Field, busts of Professor Norton 
and Mr. Curtis, also a portrait of Mr. Alonzo Lilly have been 
placed in the library room. 



The Academy and Library 211 

In a letter acceding to the request of the directors for this 
portrait, written in the trembHng hand of his ninetieth year, 
Mr. Lilly says, under date of November 13, 1889: 

Your esteemed favor of 19th ult. at hand, requesting my 
portrait to be placed upon the walls of the Ashfield Library. 
I have always felt a deep interest in the welfare and prosperity 
of my native town, and since I left it in 1820 at the age of twenty 
years, I have never failed visiting it but four times, at least once 
each year. As nothing could afford me more pleasure or be of 
more value to my friends and neighbors of my native town than 
a good Library, I availed myself of the opportunity to give at 
different times small aid. I feel a delicacy in complying with 
your request as others have so generously for a like and valuable 
purpose given many times in excess of the small aid given by 
me; but as you have requested my portrait I cannot refuse, 
leaving it to you to do with it as you may see fit. 

Permit me to say to the good people of Ashfield, give your 
children all the benefits the Library and Academy can afford 
(better to them than gold), and with some legitimate object in 
view, and willing hands to work, their prosperity and success 
in life are assured. 

Respectfully yours, 

Alonzo Lilly. 

Rev. Lewis Greene was president of the Board from 1867 to 
1884, Rev. J. Wadhams for three years, Dr. G. R. Fessenden 
from 1888 to 1900, J. M. Sears to 1909. Wait Bement, Esq., 
was secretary and treasurer from 1867 to 1881, Moses Cook 
from 1881 to 1885, F. G. Howes from 1885 to 1909. Mrs. Eliza 
A. Coleman was librarian after Miss Smith, from 1867 to 1884, 
Miss JuHa A. Williams from 1884 to 1907, Mrs. Maude Dodge 
to 1909. 

Rev. Mr. Green took a great interest in, and exercised a 
fatherly care over the institution, putting in a good grade of 
books which gave character to the library. H. S. Ranney, Esq., 
A. W. Crafts and Asa Wait were warm friends of the Library, 
also Mrs. W. E. Ford, Geo. B. Church and others. For twelve 
years past the town has voted $200 per annum for the free use 
of books. In 1903, branch libraries were located in Baptist 
Comer and South Ashfield, both of which have been well 
patronized. At present the Library contains about 6,000 
volumes. 



CHAPTER XII 

TOWN OFFICERS, CIVIL MAGISTRATES 

Names of men who have served as selectmen in Ashfield, with 
date of their terms of office. 

Ebenezer Belding, 1762, '65, '68, '69; Chileab Smith, 1762, 
'66, '67; Phillip Phillips, 1762, '68, '88; Nathan Wait, 1763; 
Reuben Ellis, 1763, '64; Jonathan Edson, 1764; Nathan 
Chapin, 1764, '68; Samuel Belding, 1765, '70, '72, '73, '74; 
Jonathan Yeamans, 1765; Moses Fuller, 1766, '68; Thomas 
Phillips, 1766, '67; Timothy Lewis, 1767; Isaac Shepard, 1769, 
'70, '79; Samuel Allen, 1770, '73, '82; Jonathan Taylor, 1772, 
'74; Aaron Lyon, 1772, '75-'77, '80; Reuben Ellis, 1774; 
Jasher Taylor, 1775-'76, '79, '83; Elisha Cranson, 1775; Ben- 
jamin Phillips, 1776-'78, '80, '82; Peter Cross, 1777; Phineas 
Bartlett, 1777, '78; Jacob Shenvin, 1778, '82; John Bement, 
1779, '93; Rowland Sears, 1780, '88-'92, '94, '95; Warren 
Green, Jr., 1781, '85; Uriah Goodwin, 1781; John Sherwin, 
1781; Thomas Stocking, 1783, '84, '86, '87; Benjamin Rogers, 
1783; Chileab Smith, Jr., 1784-87, '89, '91, '92, 1800, '01; 
John Ellis, 1784, '90; Warren Green, Jr., 1785; Ephraim 
Williams, 1785, '88-'92, '94, '95, '98, '99; Wilham Flower, 
1786-'87; Warren Green, 1793; Lemuel Spurr, 1793; Abner 
Kellev, 1796-1808; Joshua Howes, 1796-'99; Abiezer Perkins, 
1796; Elijah Paine, 1797; Samuel Guilford, 1800-'06; John 
Alden, 1806-'08; Thomas White, 1807-'15, 1825-'29; Bethuel 
Lilly, 1809-'ll, 1816-'19; Josiah Drake, 1809-'ll; Chipman 
Smith, 1812-'15; Nathaniel Holmes, 1812-'19, 1826-'27; 
Dimick Ellis, 1816-'19; Roswell Rannev, 1820-'21, '24; Jona- 
than Sears, 1820-'26, '29-'31; Samuel Eldredge, 1821-'25; 
Simeon Phillips, 1823; Sanford Boice, 1827, '28, '34, '39, '46, 
'47, '48; Austin Lilly, 1828, '29; Seth Church, 1830-33; 
George Hall, 1830-'33; WilHam Bassett, 1832, '33; Daniel 
Williams, 1834; Joseph Hall, 1834, '39; Chester Sanderson, 
1835-'38, '40. '47; Anson Bement, 1835-'37, '40; Isaac Taylor, 
1835-'37; Friend Knowlton, 1838, '39, '49, '50; David Gray, 
1840, '41, '49, '50; Wait Bement, 1841, '42, '44, '70, '71; Salmon 
Miller, 1841; Hosea Blake, 1842-'44, '46, '47; Alvan Perry, 
1842, '45, '51; John Guilford, 1843; Nathan Vincent, 1843; 
Lot Bassett, 1844, '45; Alvan Hall, 1845, '54, '65; Ephraim 
Williams, 1846; William Bassett, 1848; Henry Paine, 1849-'51, 



214 History of Ashfield 

'55, '56, '67; Nathan Knowlton, 1851-'53, '57, '58, '63, '66, '72, 
'73, '75, '76; Foster R. King, 1852; Kimball H. Howes, 1853; 
Orville Hall, 1853, '56-'58, '66, '72, '76, '77; Henry S. Ranney, 
1854; Addison Graves, 1854-56; Silas Blake, 1855, '74, '75; 
Daniel Williams, Jr., 1857, '58; Frederick Forbes, 1859; Free- 
man Williams, 1859; Chauncey Boice, 1859, '60, '79, '80; 
Nelson Gardner, 1860; Josephus Crafts, 1860-'63; Almon 
Howes, 1861, '63, '64, '67, '68, '78; Lorenzo Wait, 1861; Moses 
Cook, 1862, '68; Darius Williams, 1862; Josiah Cross, 1864- 
'65; Frederick G. Howes, 1865, '66, '74; Addison G. Hall 
1867-73; Joseph Blake, 1869-71; Albert W. Crafts, 1869 
Charles Howes, 1873, '75, '79, '80, '82, '84, '86-'93, '95, '96 
Cyrus A. Hall, 1874; Alvan Hall, 2d, 1876-78, '80, '87, '88 
1895-'99; Lavant F. Gray, 1877-'79, '85, '86; WilHam H 
Pease, 1881; Levi Gardner, 1882, '83; A. D. Flower, 1884, '85 
'95; Emory D. Church, 1881-'85, 1899-1903; George B 
Church, 1886-'94, '96-'98, 1908; Walter Guilford, 1889-'94 
Sanford H. Boice, 1894; Charles A. Hall, 1897; Allison G 
Howes, 1898-1909; Frederick H. Smith, 1899-1907; Harlan P 
Howes, 1904-'09; Claude D. Church. 1909. 

The following persons were elected town clerks, on the date 
indicated, and served until the next following date : 

1762, Samuel Belding; 1766, Benjamin PhilHps; 1776, Dr. 
Phineas Bartlett; 1778, Jacob Sherwin; 1782, Dr. Phineas 
Bartlett; 1794, Dr. Francis Mantor; 1795, Dr. Phineas Bart- 
lett; 1799, Levi Cook; 1802, Elijah Paine; 1806, Selah Norton; 
1807, Henrv Bassett; 1813, Lewis Williams; 1814, Dr. Enos 
Smith; 1816, Henry Bassett; 1823, Dimick ElHs; 1826, James 
McFarland; 1830, Russell Bement; 1832, Wait Bement; 1836, 
Samuel Barber; 1839, Henry S. Ranney; 1847, Nelson Gardner; 
1852, Dr. Sidney Brooks; 1853, Henry S. Ranney; 1870, Moses 
G.Cook; 1873, Henry S. Ranney; 1898, John M. Sears. 

The following list gives the number of years that each person 
named has served as town treasurer of Ashfield, since the year 
1762: 

Dr. Phineas Bartlett, 22; Hon. Elijah Paine, 19; Nelson 
Gardner, Esq., 18; John M. Sears, Esq., 16; Samuel Hall, Esq., 
11; Asa C. Wait, 10; Almon E. Bronson, 8; Chester Sanderson, 
Esq., 6; Henry Bassett, Esq., 5; Ephraim Williams, Esq., 3; 
Capt. Benjamin Phillips, 3; Levi Cook, Esq., 3; Dea. Alvan 
Perry, 3; Warren Green Jr., 2; Dea. David Alden, 2; Charles 



Town Officers, Civil Magistrates 215 

Williams, 2 ; Thomas Phillips, 1 ; Timothy Lewis, 1 ; Ebenezer 
Belding, 1 ; John Sadler, 1 ; Rev. Silas Blaisdell, 1 ; John Hart 
1 ; George G. Hall, 1 ; Moses Cook, 1 ; Charles H. Wilcox, 1 

Representatives to the General Court were elected as follows 

1775, Capt. Elisha Cranson: 1779, Dea. Jonathan Taylor 
1780, Jacob Sherwin, Esq.; 1782, Benjamin Rogers; 1783-'86 
Capt. Elisha Cranson; 1787, Chileab Smith, Jr.; 1789, Capt 
Phillip Phillips; 1790, Ephraim Williams, Esq. (who served 
eleven years); 1804, Elijah Paine, Esq.; 1806-'07, Ephraim 
Williams; 1808, Ephraim WiUiams and Elijah Paine; 
1809, Ephraim Williams and Thomas White, Esq.; 1810, 
Ephraim Williams and Henry Bassett; 1811-'12, Thomas 
White and Henry Bassett; 1814, Dr. Enos Smith; 
1816, Dr. Enos Smith and Henry Bassett; 1817, Dr. Enos 
Smith; 1820, Henry Bassett; 1823, Dimick Elhs; 1827, Henry 
Bassett; 1829, Dr. Enos Smith and Capt. Roswell Ranney; 
1830, Dr. Enos Smith and Dea. Samuel Bement; 1831 (May), 
Capt. Roswell Ranney and Henry Bassett; 1831 (Nov.), Henry 
Bassett, Esq., and Chester Sanderson, Esq.; 1832, Chester 
Sanderson and Jonathan Sears; 1833, Seth Church and Anson 
Bement; 1834, Justus Smith and Judah Taylor; 1835, Jonathan 
Sears and Wait Bement, Esq. ; 1836, Anson Bement and Wait 
Bement, Esq.; 1837, Roswell Ranney; 1838, Wilham Bassett 
and Friend Knowlton; 1839, Friend Knowlton; 1840, Sanford 
Boice; 1844, Jasper Bement; 1847, Samuel W. Hall, Esq. ; 
1848, Samuel Barber; 1849-'50, Hosea Blake; 1851, Henry S. 
Ranney, Esq. ; 1852, Anson Bement; 1853, Nelson Gardner, 
Esq.; 1855, Manly Guilford; 1856, Phillip Bassett; 1858, 
Nathan Knowlton; 1860, Dea. Joseph Vincent, Jr.; 1863, 
Chauncey Boice; 1865, David S. Howes; 1867, Henry S. 
Ranney; 1870, Levi Gardner; 1874, Frederick G. Howes; 
1877, Nelson Gardner; 1883, Dea. Frederick H. Smith; 1888, 
Charles Howes; 1899, Dr. George R. Fessenden. 

Elijah Paine, Esq., and Dr. Enos Smith each served one or 
two years as senator. 

The pay of the lawmakers was small and usually fixed by the 
legislature of that year. The pay for the year 1812 was $2 per 
day — in session about sixty days. In 1814 they were to forfeit 
five shillings for each day's absence without excuse. The fare 
from Boston to Ashfield and return was about $8 and there 
were no free passes. Judah Taylor, who was sent in 1835, did 



216 History of Ashfield 

not come home during the entire session, which was for ninety- 
two days for that year. Small as was the compensation there 
were even then men who were willing to sacrifice themselves. 
It is not on record, but there is a well authenticated tradition 
that one year a prominent man of the town in open meeting 
made an offer of $30 to the town treasury if they would send 
him to the General Court, and he was sent. 

Another story not on record, comes down to us. Squire 
Phillips was sent one year and the town at the meeting seemed 
favorably disposed to send him another, when "Uncle Zeke 
Taylor," who was not quite friendly to the Squire, said he had 
always noticed that representatives the first year served the 
state, the second year they served themselves and the third year 
they served the devil; but Squire Phillips had been smarter 
than the rest and had served all three in one year and he thought 
they had better send another man. It seems that the argument 
was convincing, for another man was sent. 

In the election of these representatives, there were in the 
main the two parties. Whig and Democrat, but the results show 
that even in those days there were independents, who dared to 
strike out and vote for the man in the other party, if they 
deemed him the better. The Whigs seemed to have been in the 
ascendency, but there were occasional Democrats sandwiched in. 
In 1838, Edward Everett, the Whig candidate for governor had 
200 votes, and Marcus Morton, Democrat, 113 votes. The 
Whig candidates for representative, Messrs. Bassett and 
Knowlton, had 170 votes and Chester Sanderson and Anson 
Bement, Democrats, had 130. In a number of cases, after 
balloting several times there would be no choice, and the town 
would vote not to send, or, if the vote was close, another meeting 
would be called. In 1836, two brothers, a Whig and a Democrat, 
were both chosen to represent the town in the legislature the 
same year. In 1847, the two physicians in the town were set up 
as opposing candidates. Dr. Sidney Brooks receiving 113, and 
Dr. Charles L. Knowlton 96, with many scattering votes. At 
another meeting called two weeks later, the voters decided that 
the doctors were needed at home; they were dropped as can- 
didates and Samuel W. Hall elected. 



Town Officers, Civil Magistrates 217 

About the beginning of the forties, the Liberty or AboHtion 
party made its appearance in the shape of perhaps half a dozen 
voters, of whom Jasper Bement, Henry S. Ranney and Dea. 
Samuel Bement were most prominent. As this small beginning 
was the nucleus of the Free Soil psLVty, which was in turn the 
nucleus of the Republican party in Ashfield. as well as in the 
nation, a little account of its growth inay be interesting. 

There are those living who can remember with what indiffer- 
ence if not derision, this little company was looked upon bv the 
two parties of the day. But the new party gained steadily and 
in 1843, the representative vote stood: S. W. Hall (Whig), 131; 
Anson Bement (Dcm.), 96; Jasper Bement (Libertv). 53. 
The next year Jasper Bement was elected. In '45, '46, there 
was no choice; in '47, '48, after close contests, Whigs were 
elected. In '49, the Liberty party, by accretions from the old 
parties, having grown into the Free Soil party, Hosea Blake 
was nominated by that party. There was a hot fight, but after 
two meetings Mr. Blake was declared elected by one vote. 

There was much rejoicing by the Free Soil party and it was 
proposed to bring out the "Old Swivel" and celebrate the vic- 
tory, but a company of the two opposing parties gathered to 
prevent it. It was finally fired once through the window of Mr. 
Crafts' grocer^^ it being thought prudent not to risk it on the 
street. After dark, an outside farmer backed up to the grocery, 
ostensibly for a "barrel of flour. " The cannon was placed in a 
barrel and loaded in. The farmer drove away and when at 
Bassett's four comers he was joined by a few of the faithfiil, 
the cannon taken out and a rousing salute fired. The pursuers 
being soon on the track, the gun was taken to Mr. Seth Hall's 
house. The enemy appearing in considerable force and there 
being some danger of capture, Mr. Josephus Crafts took the 
gun down through a scuttle in the back part of the house and 
with the help of a few other men were on their way up to the 
pasture while the crowd were entering the house from the front. 
The gun was soon heard from in the pasture and the pursuers 
gave chase, only to hear the report in another direction. By 
midnight the gun was secreted and pursued and pursuers re- 
turned to the village. 



218 History of Ashfield 

To show the state of feehng not only in the town but in the 
county we give the following from the Greenfield Gazette the 
next week after this election. 

In Ashfield, Hosea Blake, free soil coalition, was elected by 
one vote under the following circumstances. After the polls 
were opened two men whose names were not on the tax list, 
one of them a black man, were dragged into the hall by the 
free soil party, a tax assessed against them, their names put on 
the voting list and their votes deposited for Hosea Blake, the 
coalition candidate. 

We hope the Whigs of Ashfield will not be browbeaten in this 
manner. 

A petition signed by Capt. Kimball Howes and 77 others, 
remonstrating against the election of Mr. Blake, was sent to 
the Legislature and referred to the committee on elections. 
One of their number was sent to Ashfield to hear and report 
the evidence in the case. 

The hearing was held in Cross' Hall, a large nimiber of citi- 
zens being present. The evidence was taken to Boston and 
considered by the committee who finally reported against Mr. 
Blake retaining his seat. The matter was debated several 
days before the Legislature, Whiting Griswold of Greenfield 
and Nathaniel P. Banks of Waltham in favor of Mr. Blake and 
E. Rockwood Hoar of Concord and others against him. It was 
finally decided by a vote of 123 to 81 to allow Mr. Blake to 
retain his seat. 

The next year, after two meetings and a close vote, Mr. 
Blake was reelected, and was one of the men who voted for 
Charles Sumner as United States Senator, who it will be remem- 
bered was, after a struggle, elected by one vote. 

The advent of the American or "Know Nothing" order in 
the country was in 1853-4. Its object was to check and limit 
the power of the foreign and Roman Catholic element. A lodge 
was formed in this town in the season of 1854. It was a secret 
order, having its signs and pass words. The meetings were first 
held in the hall in Cross' "hotel, later in the hall over a store 
which is now Rice's meat market. The name of the order, 



Town Officers, Civil Magistrates 219 

known only to the initiated, was the American; the term 
"Know Nothing" was not acknowledged by the members, so 
if they were asked if they belonged to the Know Nothing party, 
they replied in the negative, and if a man who did not belong 
to the order was asked the same question he would of course 
give the same answer. There was therefore a great deal of 
mystery as to who really did belong to the order, so much so 
that before election time sentinels were posted near the piazza 
of the store to try and count the number entering the lodge. 
The estimate of the outsiders was very much underrated, for 
at the election the party carried the town, as it did the state, 
Henry J. Gardner receiving 121 votes; Emory Washburn, 
Whig, 93; Henry Wilson, Free Soil, 21; Henry W. Bishop, 
Democrat, 8. Dr. Charles L. Knowlton was the candidate for 
Representative but failed of election by one vote, he receiving 
117 votes, all others 117. The'Know Nothing party in the town 
soon disappeared, and Republican and Democrat only have 
existed since. 

THE TOWN MAGISTRATES 

One hundred years ago the office of Justice of the Peace was 
a very important one. He solemnized marriages, issued writs, 
tried both civil and criminal cases, and was both judge and jury 
in his decisions. Samuel B elding and Jacob Sherwin were the 
first recorded justices, Mr. Belding holding his commission from 
the King. 

Capt. PhilHp Phillips was one of the earliest state magis- 
trates. His father, Thomas, was the second settler in the town, 
and came here when Phillip was about six years old. Phillip 
commenced life by building his house on the west side of Bellows 
Hill, where the old cellar hole may still be seen from the highway 
just over in Mr. Levant Gray's pasture. He afterwards built a 
large two-story house on the comer opposite where Mr. Gray 
now lives. He was a great hunter in his younger days, and 
killed twenty-nine bears in one season. He had thirteen chil- 
dren, two daughters and eleven sons, each son said to have been 
over six feet in height, all of whom were in Captain Phillips' 



220 History of Ashfield 

company. He held a commission from the King and when the 
Revolutionary war broke out deemed it his duty to remain 
loyal to his oath and his Sovereign, therefore was classed as one 
of the Tories and forced to pay heavy fines. Notwithstanding 
this, after the war he was chosen Representative to the General 
Court and was Justice of the Peace for many years. An old 
record book of the trials before him from May, 1790, to Sep- 
tember, 1792, shows over three hundred cases tried before him 
in that time, most of them at his dwelling house. Many cases 
were for debt, and often "Defendant did not Appear tho Soll- 
emnny Called and was default." Everything was recorded 
in due legal form, but the spelling is somewhat original. A 
number of "A salt and Batery" cases are mentioned and some 
boys were tried for stealing " Watemiillions " and fined 5s. 
Simeon Crittenden and Benjamin Spinning were before the 
Court on complaint of Nathaniel Sherwin, tithing-man, for 
" Disorderly Behavior on the Lords Day in the House of Public 
Worship" and fined 5s. each, with costs of Is. There are a 
number of cases of fines imposed for neglect to appear at train- 
ings when notified, also fines for profane swearing. An old 
treasurer's receipt shows cash received from Esquire Phillips 
for fines imposed, among which was one for 5s. on Joseph Lilly 
"for uttering one profane oath. " There is a tradition that when 
the fine was imposed, Lilly, who was an odd character, and the 
hero who brought the guns back from Pelham in Shays' time, 
put in his plea for clemency beginning as follows, "Well now 
Squire, this is too D — n bad." "Tut, Tut," said the Squire, 
"Be careful, Lilly, or I shall have to fine you again. " 

In spite of his poor orthography, the decisions of Esquire 
Phillips seem to have been highly respected for the fairness and 
good judgment shown, for he had important cases from adjoin- 
ing towns before him, both as justice and arbitrator. He died 
in 1800, and is buried in the old part of the Plain Cemetery. 

Ephraim Williams came here in 1771. In 1769, the Pro- 
prietors voted "Encouragement to Daniel Williams to build a 
saw mill South of Lot No. 52, 2nd division." This was at the 
north end of what is now Spruce Corner. Daniel was the father 



Town Officers, Civil Magistrates 221 

of Ephraim and had married a descendant of Capt. Ephraim 
Hunt and very likely inherited some land here from him. He 
had also bought out certain "Rights" from some of the other 
soldiers. Before Ephraim settled here it is probable that both 
he and his father looked the town over and finally fixed on the 
spot in Spruce Comer, then uninhabited, as a desirable site for 
the sawmill. In 1771, Ephraim and a millwright came here 
on foot from Easton, a hundred and twenty miles, bringing on 
their backs tools to build the mill and a little lumber besides. 
Rev. Francis Williams in a paper read at a Williams gathering, 
and quoted in the Ellis book, tells how he built his cheap cabin 
first, then his mill, covering it with boards sawed after the 
running part was finished. The millwright's bill for services 
was $13.33. Ephraim went back to Easton in 1775, was married, 
and with a four wheeled cart and two yoke of oxen brought his 
bride with furniture, and so forth, to Ashfield. He lived on the 
old place till 1800, when, his sons becoming old enough to carry 
on the mill and fann, he built the house where Clarence Hall 
now lives and spent the rest of his life there. He was an ex- 
cellent business man for himself, and was early called upon to 
do service for the town. He was selectman ten years, town 
treasurer three years, and representative to the General Court 
eleven years, also clerk and treasurer of the Congregational 
Church for many years. 

He was the leading surveyor of the town and had a better 
knowledge of the old original lots as laid out than any other 
man. By reference to the plan in the clerk's ofifice of these 
original lots, it will be seen that some are not numbered and 
that there are gores or strips of land between the lots. These 
were called "undivided lands, " and were sold out from time to 
time by the Proprietors, and Esquire Williams, from his knowl- 
edge, was able to secure some good bargains. Spruce Comer 
meadows, being at that time very wet and swampy, were not 
laid out in lots at all, as shown on the plan. The hundred acre 
lot north of No. 10, 3rd division, was not numbered and is now 
the farm of F. H. and Charles Smith, originally given by Esquire 
Williams to his son, David, great-grandfather of Charles Smith. 



222 History of Ashfield 

Another son, Apollos, settled at the upper end of the meadow 
gore in Spruce Comer. Another smaller gore will be noticed in 
the northwest part of the town near where Ezra Williams 
settled, and also in the north part of the town where Herbert 
Clark now lives, is another gore where the son Israel settled. 
At the time of the trouble between Ashfield and Goshen in the 
nineties, the Proprietors voted to employ Esquire Williams to 
try and find the line between this town and Goshen, provided 
he would take his pay in land, and he did the work ; was evidently 
not afraid of real estate currency. In the old tax list of 1793, 
his tax on real estate was more than twice as high as that of any 
other man in town. In settling his boys he helped them to buy 
other desirable lots near these gores for their farms, thus in- 
ducing them to remain in town, where they made substantial 
and valuable citizens until their death. There is an old record 
book of the justice trials before him in possession of his de- 
scendants, and Fred Kelley, another descendant, has the com- 
pass with which his surveying was done. 

Esquire Williams was a very public-spirited man. Two rooms 
in the chamber of his new house had folding doors between, and 
when open made a good sized hall which was free to the public 
for religious meetings and other purposes. Rev. Alvan San- 
derson at one time had evening schools there,where, it was said, 
that among other things "good behavior" was taught. 

The town records show that in December, 1787, Esquire 
Williams was chosen delegate to the convention for the adoption 
of the federal constitution and was instructed "to use his in- 
fluence that said constitution doth not take place," but the 
state records show that said constitution did take place by a 
vote of 187 to 168, and that Esquire Williams voted for it in 
spite of his instructions. 

The following was written by Mr. Ranney for the Ellis book : 

HON. ELIJAH PAINE 

Conspicuous among the prominent men of the town was 
Elijah Paine, Esq., a lawyer, who settled in this village near the 
close of the last century, and spent the remainder of his days 



Town Officers, Civil Magistrates 223 

here. He was a son of Dr. Elijah Paine, of Hatfield and Wil- 
liamsburg; was bom in Hatfield, Nov. 29, 1760, graduated at 
Yale in 1790, and died Aug. 3, 1846, aged 85. He married, 
July 1, 1795, Patty Pomeroy, of Northfield. She died Jan. 28, 
1842, aged 69. Esquire Paine became a man of much useful- 
'ness and influence in the community; of sterling character 
•with dignified bearing, and manners of a gentleman of the old 
school; a ruffle on his bosom was always a part of his attire. 
He served as a member of each branch of the legislature; and, 
on the division of the old county, in 1811, was appointed Chief 
Justice of the Court of Sessions, and held the office some fifteen 
years, until it was abolished by law. For many years he was a 
deacon of the Congregational Church, and three of his sons — 
Elijah, William P. and John C. — became clergymen. 

About 1795, Esquire Paine built a one-story house just in 
front of where the house of Henry M. and Elizabeth Smith now 
stands, and occupied it until his death. In the records of the 
early Justice trials Esquire Paine's name appears as counsel in 
a majority of the cases. 

THOMAS white, ESQ. 

came here from Whately, (then Hatfield) in 1795 and built 
what is called the old White Homestead opposite the town hall 
and now occupied by a granddaughter, Mrs. Amanda Hall. 
He was chosen selectman in 1807, was on the board for twelve 
years, and also represented the town in the legislature several 
times. He held a commission as Justice of the Peace, trying 
most of the cases in the long kitchen of his dwelling house. 
This was the custom in those days, and being open to the public, 
the wives of the magistrates had their full share in the ' ' clean- 
ing up" afterwards. Esquire White was an active friend of 
the old Academy, educating his own children there, and as- 
sisted Mary Lyon in her early efforts to obtain an education. 
He died in 1848, aged seventy -five years. 

The following tribute to her grandfather has been kindly 
given by Mrs. Amanda Hall : 

"All we can ever do for the dead is to keep their names from 
dying, and to kindle other souls as they kindled ours." 

In response to request, I will state some facts as I recall them 
from memory or through tradition, of my grandfather. 



224 History of Ashfield 

Thomas White was bom in Hatfield, youngest son of Dea. 
Salmon White (who served as Captain in the Revolution). 
The home, in a subdivision of the borough, fell west of the 
dividing line between that town and Whately, where it now 
stands in good preservation, and is still occupied by lineal de- 
scendants. Thomas White and Elijah Paine of Williamsburg, 
first cousins and intimate comrades through life, fitted for 
college together and entered Yale in the same class. Thomas 
soon decided on a business career, in which he saw little use for 
dead languages, and so informed his father, who with com- 
fortable means had destined his son to one of the professions. 
In serious displeasure the father said to the unyielding boy, 
"If not college, it is a trade and that trade shall be blacksmith- 
ing. " Quite on his mettle, Thomas accepted the terms, served 
faithfully his apprenticeship, and then, receiving from his father 
a tract of land in Ashfield with other property, he located here 
and loyally set up a shop. 

Meanwhile Elijah Paine had received his degree, and, locating 
on adjoining land, opened a law office. The two men built their 
houses at about the same time, bringing to them wives of rare 
qualities and blessed memory, and lived side by side in brotherly 
harmony to old age. Since my remembrance it was said that 
when both were in town they never failed of daily visits at one 
or other, or both of the two homes. 

Thomas White soon found his sphere in active public service 
as our town and county records testify. He had the "courage 
of his convictions," never shrinking from duty, however un- 
popular, in church or town; and ever alert for advancement 
on new lines, was active and earnest in both. "The greatest 
good to the greatest number" was his slogan, and though kind 
and generous to a fault he was unsparing and firm where vital 
principles were involved. In any community such a man finds 
enemies. He had his full share whom he never feared, dodged 
nor spited. Dr. G. Stanley Hall's father, a citizen of like char- 
acter in the next generation, while speaking of my grandfather's 
character, life and work, said to me one day, "I verily believe 
no man was ever laid to rest in this town who was more rev- 
erently loved or more cordially hated than Esquire White."* 

With nearly nineteen years of only happy personal memories 
of that life and character, I could reverently respond to the 
opinion of this discerning, appreciative friend. 

Amanda Ferry Hall. 

*NoTE — Edward Stewart White, the well known western writer, is a 
descendant of Esq. White. 



Town Officers, Civil Magistrates 225 

henry bassett, esq. 

An old record book in clean, clear cut handwriting shows 
trials before Esquire Bassett from 1816 to 1837. He lived in an 
old fashioned one-story house standing where his grandson, 
Isaac Bassett, now lives. He was town clerk thirteen years, 
town treasurer five years, and Representative to the General 
Court seven years. Many of the cases tried before him were 
from Hawley and Buckland. One case in 1835 showed that on 
complaint of Charles Ward, Jonathan Smith, Jr., was fined one 
dollar for behaving rudely and indecently within the walls of 
public worship, and under the same date on complaint of Jona- 
than Smith, Jr., Charles Ward was fined the same sum for the 
same offence. 

One hundred and more years ago, "going to law" seemed to 
have been a frequent and not very expensive matter. It has 
been noted that the full record book of Esquire Phillips showed 
over three hundred trials in about two years and a half and 
there were probably several hundred more before his death in 
1800. Esquire Williams had over two hundred recorded in his 
book, and there were of course many cases before Esquires 
Paine and White of which we have no record. Cases also went 
from Ashfield to Buckland and Conway to be tried before 
Esquire Taylor and Esquire Billings. The "Costs of Court" 
before Esquire Phillips were from one to ten shillings, and before 
Esquire Williams and Esquire Bassett from three to twelve 
dollars. In 1827, before Esquire Williams, Consider McFarland 
sued Peter Sears for $20, and recoverd 86 cents and costs, $3.07. 

Other justices in town were Levi Cook, the first postmaster, 
also town clerk and treasurer for several years; Chester San- 
derson, Lot Bassett, Wait Bement, Henry S. Ranney, Silas 
Blake and Nelson Gardner. Chester Sanderson lived where 
Clayton Eldredge now lives, was selectman and representative. 
His daughter married Henry L. Dawes of Pittsfield, United 
States Senator for many years. Henry S. Ranney, our town 
clerk for half a century, held a justice commission for many 
years, nearly to the time of his death in 1899. Esquire Bement 
lived at South Ashfield on the farm now owned by Mrs. Nellie 



226 History of Ashfield 

Barrus. He held most of the town offices, and was for a long 
time clerk, and a warm friend of the Ashfield Library. He had 
a genial nature and was a very pleasant man to meet. Lot 
Bassett lived in Spruce Comer at the Bassett farm on the hill. 
He was a strong and ready debater, and a great favorite at the 
old district lyceums. Silas Blake held a commission as justice 
and after the passage of the law in 1859, creating trial justices, 
was appointed to that office which he held for a number of years. 
He was school committeeman many years. He lived towards 
the south end of the Briar Hill road. Nelson Gardner, for 
eighteen years town treasurer, also held a justice commission 
for a time. He had a wood-working establishment in the vil- 
lage, afterwards in Spruce Corner. 



CHAPTER XIII 



THE REVOLUTION 



In addition to Dr. Shepard's excellent account of the action 
of the town during the Revolution, we quote from the records: 

Aug. 22, 1775, Voted 2nd, to make the coats that are asinde 
to us. 

3. Voted to send a man to Albanah to procure Guns and 
ammunition upon the town credit. 

4. Voted that Lt. Phillip Phillips to procure the above sd. 
articles. 

Dec. 26, 1776, Voted yt the Committee of Safety be em- 
powered to apply to the neighboring Towns for a County Con- 
vention to get into regulation concerning Prices of Provisions &c. 

Voted yt the Committee of Safety put a stop to ye carrying 
of Grain out of town. 

Feb. 20, 1777, Voted to make application to the general 
Court for the abatement of the Province tax. 

June 16, 1777, Voted that the constables proceed to collect 
the ministerial taxes forthwith which are not collected and to 
make Distress under the Instruction of a Committee yt shall be 
appointed. 

In the early part of the war the people seemed to have been 
troubled more by their financial embarrassment than by the 
raising of men. The Proprietors and the town had spent 
heavily in fulfilling the conditions of the Grant to "build a 
meeting house and settle a learned orthodox minister, ' ' and by 
the decision of the King in 1770 the support of the Baptists had 
been cut off, so it left this incumbrance on the rest of the town. 
In 1773, they petitioned to the General Court for relief, and in 
the Act relative to the matter, passed March of that year. Sec. 
8 says : ' ' That the inhabitants of the town of Ashfield aforesaid, 
exclusive of the Baptists there, be at the charge of finishing the 
meeting house in said town and supporting the said Mr. Sherwin 
for the future. Sec. 9. That by reason of the unhappy diffi- 
culties that have arisen of late in said town of Ashfield, and their 
poverty, the inhabitants of said town and their estates be and 



228 History of Ashfield 

hereby are exempted from paying province and county taxes 
for the space of three years next coming." Some money had 
been paid back to the Baptists for alleged injuries. At the be- 
ginning of the war, the meetinghouse, though occupied, was 
still unfinished. Mr. Sherwin had just been dismissed from the 
ministry, with his salary, as he claimed, in arrears for quite a 
large sum. Votes following direct the ofificer to immediate 
collection. 

But there were other troubles. Dr. Shepard mentions the 
list reported by the selectmen of the "men who appear so un- 
friendly to ye American states." The names reported were 
Samuel Belding, Lieut. Phillip Phillips, Seth Wait, Samuel 
Allen, Jr., Wait Broughton, Asa Bacon, Elijah Wait, Jesse 
Edson and Daniel Bacon. It was "Voted yt Capt. Samuel 
Bartlett's house be the place of Confinement." Also "yt the 
Confinement of Jesse Edson be suspended for the present on 
the Account of sickness in his Family. " August 29, 1777, it was 
"Voted not to make any further Provision for the Guard, and 
to Dismiss the Prisoners in close Confinement." The house 
where they were confined under guard for seven days was on 
the old road running over the hill just southeast of the road 
built by Mr. Belding which terminates near the house occupied 
by Dr. Jones. It stood near Mr. Bronson's spring house. Aunt 
Betty Perkins, a near neighbor to Charles Hall's grandfather, 
used to tell how she saw the prisoners march down under guard 
to the old church on Sunday to attend service, and how the 
guard took their muskets into church with them. 

After this, instead of being at the expense of imprisoning 
the offenders, they were fined, some of them quite heavily at 
different times. After the lapse of one hundred and thirty-five 
years we can afford to be charitable towards the actors in those 
proceedings on both sides. Samuel Belding was one of His 
Majesty's Justices of the Peace and had taken his oath to sup- 
port the King. Lieut. Phillip Phillips was an officer in the 
King's army and had sworn to support the Crown. It is fairer 
for us to assume that all these men held these views from really 
conscientious motives, and not from cowardice. 



The Revolution 229 

Quite a number of men from these families enlisted in the 
American army. 

At a meeting held June 20, 1777, the record says, "The ques- 
tion was put whether the town will give the Rev. Nehemiah 
Porter Liberty to Join the Continental Army — past in the 
Negative." It seems, however, that Mr. Porter did go, for 
January 9, 1778, it was "Voted yt we hire preaching while Mr. 
Porter is absent from his people and yt the town desire ye Rev. 
Jacob Sherwin to preach in Mr. Porter's absence. " 

We can quote only a portion of the votes relating to the later 
years of the war. March, 1778, "Voted to raise £50 for the 
support of the Continental soldiers belonging to this town." 
March 21, Voted £93 additional, and "That the Committee 
take the most prudent method they can to convey the things 
provided to Headquarters near Philadelphia, and to hire money 
if need be to effect the same." January 18, 1779, "Voted to 
raise money to pay the rations of ye men to Valley Forge £17 
10s. also to pay for the blankets provided for said men £25 4s. " 
June 29, 1779, a committee was chosen "to consult what method 
is most proper to come into Order to Encourage Men to engage 
in ye war, " then adjourned for three-quarters of an hour. After 
adjournment, the report of the committee read and adopted was, 
that "those men who engage in a nine months tour in the war 
be allowed in addition to the Bounty allowed by the Court 40s. 
a month wages stated upon Wheat at 4/6 pr Bushel Rie 3/4 and 
Indian com at 2/6 and if any man have a Family which shall 
stand in Need of Bread com it shall be provided at said prices 
at the cost of the town." July 6, Voted "That such men as 
shall be drafted shall be entitled to the same pay. " July 13, 
additional bounties are voted payable upon "Return home 
from ye Army to be considered in Continental currency at ye 
present Value of it. " Also, "that the Select Men give Security 
for ye Money they shall hire for said purpose allowing ye Interest 
and Sink of Money."* 



*This "Sink in Money" was enormous. Fiske's American Revolution 
says, "At the end of the year 1778 the paper dollar was worth sixteen cents, 
and before the end of the year it took ten paper dollars to make a cent. " 



230 History of Ashfield 

The next year, as Dr. Shepard relates, twenty calves were 
offered as bounty for three years' men. Out of the six hundred 
inhabitants then living in Ashfield over one hundred men went 
to the war, a list of whose names are here given as published 
by the state from the manuscripts in the Old Archives. 

It will be noticed in the list afterwards given that many of the 
men were enlisted about the 20th of April, 1775. This was the 
time of the Lexington alarm. At that time a company marched 
from Ashfield to Boston under Capt. Samuel Bartlett. As there 
was no immediate fighting, a part of the men came home, others 
enlisted for the season. The men who came home are the men 
credited for five days' service. 

The other list of men for five days was at the 17th of August, 
1777. Word had been received that a body of British from 
Burgoyne's army were marching towards Bennington to seize 
the stores there. A company was quickly raised under Capt. 
Ephraim Jennings to march over the mountain. The battle was 
fought the 16th and the Ashfield company was too late to have 
any share in General Stark's victory. Just how far they 
marched before they heard the news we do not know. They 
are credited here with only five days' service. The Berkshire 
men received their notice earlier and arrived in time to take part 
in the battle. 

Of the four Ashfield captains, Capt. Samuel Bartlett moved 
to York State ; Captain Cranson lived and died in Spruce Corner. 
*Capt. Benjamin Phillips lived near the old Phillips' fort south of 
Church and Broadhurst's, where the old cellar hole and well can 
still be seen. He had five sons. *Capt. Ephraim Jennings lived 
near the Wardville schoolhouse and the mow lot opposite is 
still called the "Jennings Lot. " It is singular that of these two 
last named captains who took so active a part in the war, none 
of their descendants are here, neither can we learn when they 
left town or where they went. 

Of the 173 or more names here following it is believed that 
all were Revolutionary soldiers from Ashfield. Most of them 
were credited directly to this town. A few names are given in 

*See Appendix. 



The Revolution 231 

the record, not credited to any town, but who were Hving here 
about that time and were under Capt. Benjamin PhilHps' or 
Capt. Ephraim Jennings' companies where most of the Ashfield 
men enHsted and it was considered proper to call them Ashfield 
soldiers. This list is culled from over 150,000 names in the six- 
teen volumes of the state records. Not all the record of each 
name is given, but these volumes can be found in any public 
library of the state and anyone desiring to see the whole record 
can easily find it, as the volumes are arranged alphabetically. 
In a few cases the names of men known to have been Revolu- 
tionary soldiers have not been found in the record. 

Barnabas Alden, two enlistments, July, 1779 and July 1780; 
age 20 ; lived afterward above the Elisha Wing place. Ebenezer 
Alden, several enlistments, one for 3 yrs. ; lived where S. P. 
Elmer does. David Alden, two short enlistments; age 22 yrs.; 
Elijah Alden was in most of the time through the war; age 25; 
Isaiah Alden. John Alden, age 16; enlisted three years; Feb., 
1782, reported deceased. John Abel, age 19; enlisted 1778; 
three years or during the war. Enoch Allen, three short enlist- 
ments. Lieut. Samuel Allen, three enlistments from April, 1775 
to 1778; was also the Shays' captain in the Rebellion; lived on 
the Luther Guilford place. Lieut. Edward Anable enl. at 18 
yrs., and served through ihe war, (see extended notice in Ellis 
book). Samuel Anable, Jr., father of Edward, two enlistments. 

Joseph Baker, two short enlistments in 1775. Lot Bassett enl. 
from Yarmouth; three short enlistments from 1776 to '78; after- 
wards moved to Ashfield (Spruce Comer.) Capt. Samuel Bartlett 
three enlistments from 1775 to '78; lived on cross road near Mr. 
Bronson's spring house east of Dr. Jones' ; brother to Dr. Bart- 
lett. Samuel Bardwell, age 41 yrs. ; two enlistments after 1780. 
Asa Bacon, in service about 100 days; lived in Baptist Corner. 
Benjamin Bame, one short and one three years' enlistment; 
age 39 yrs. John Beals enl. Dec. 1776; dis. April 1877; marched 
to Ticonderoga. (Spruce Comer.) Bethuel Benton, three short 
enlistments. Lowden Benton, age 24 yrs.; in service 9 mos. 
Bezer Benton, age 24 yrs. ; several enlistments, last for 9 mos. ; 
Bentons lived on Isaac Hodgen farm. Lieut. Zebulon Bryant, 
several enlistments from April 19, 1775 to August, 1777; grand- 
father of Calvin and great grandfather of Dr. Ward Bryant of 
Greenfield; he lived where Ralph Tredick now does. Asa 
Burton, 18 days; marched to Stillwater. Azariah Blanchard, 
two short enlistments. Phineas Bement, three enlistments 



232 History of Ashfield 

from Dec. '76 to Aug. '79. John Bement, age 19 yrs. ; enl. Aug. 
'77; service 1 mo. 8 days; also in July, '80 for 6 mos. ; probably 
son of John Bement who lived on the Dr. Murray place. Tim- 
othy Bloodworth, three enlistments to March '77; lived in So. 
Ashfield near where Darwin Pease lives. Samuel Belding rec. 
pay for mileage, etc., at Dorchester Heights, Nov. 28, 1776. 
John Belding, age 19 yrs.; in service 3 mos. 10 days; marched 
to Ticonderoga; was grandfather to Belding Bros.; lived on 
Lot No. 49 1st Div. Jonathan Belding enl. July, '77; dis. Aug. '77. 
Josiah Cook, a few months in '76; lived in north part of 
Baptist Comer. Nathan Cook (see page 305, Ellis book). 
Timothy Catlin enl. from Deerfield; enl. several times from 
Aug. '75 to '78; his face was scarred by wounds received; he 
moved to Ashfield and lived where Samuel Hale does. Benja- 
min Carr, in service from Sept. 22 to Oct. 18, '77; expedition 
to the northward. (David, Benjamin and Jonathan Carr were 
evidently in for several months each the last part of the war. 
Lived east part of Baptist Comer.) Jeremiah Center, from 
May 4, '75 to Aug. 4, '75. Stephen Cross, from Sept. 22, '77 
to Oct. 18, '77; service on expedition to the northward. John 
Cross, age 16 yrs. ; three months' enlistment near close of war. 
Benjamin Crittenden, corporal in Capt. Moses Harvey's Co.; 
enl. May, 1775; served 2 mos. 2 weeks, 1 day. Samuel Crit- 
tenden, corporal in Capt. Benjamin Phillips' Co. ; enl. July 10, 
1777; service 1 mo. 8 days in Northern department. Amos 
Crittenden enl. April 27, 1775; service 3 mos. 11 days; was also 
in Arnold's expedition to Canada and was for a time held pris- 
oner at Quebec. Simeon Crittenden enl. Aug. 12, 1781; service 
3 mos. 2 days. Company raised for 3 mos. roll dated Deerfield. 
(Simeon was grandfather of Mr. George Crittenden. They 
lived on what is now Mr. Barnes' farm). Isaac Clark, sergeant 
in company raised for service at Ticonderoga, Feb. 24, '77, 1 mo. 
17 days, again Aug. 17, '77; service 5 days. Silas Clark, in 
service in fall of '75 also in the 5 days' expedition northward in 
Aug. '77; great grandfather of Herbert Clark; lived last where 
Fred Kelley does. Japheth Chapin enl. March 2, '77, ser- 
vice 1 mo. 10 days; also Aug. 12, '77, service 3 mos. 29 days; 
was taken prisoner in eastern New York but escaped with 
another soldier and found his way through the woods to Ash- 
field*. Nathan Chapin enl. May 16, '77, service 2 mos. 1 day; 

*Tradition gives the story that Japheth with another soldier was sent 
under one guard to cut grass on an island in the river. A bottle of rum was 
sent with their provisions. The guard showed a weakness for the bottle, 
which was encouraged, the result being that before noon he was in a drunken 
stupor. The prisoners took advantage of the situation, pushed off with 
the boat for the opposite shore, and struck into the woods towards home. 



The Revolution 233 

also Sept. 20, 78, service 2 mos. 23 days; Japheth was grand- 
father and Nathan great grandfather of Arthur and George 
Chapin. Asa Cranson enlisted for 3 yrs., April 2, 1779; was in 
several companies. Ebenezer Cranson, in service in '76, also 
5 days in Aug., '77, also 1 mo. in Sept., and Oct. '77, also 9 mos. 
man in '78. Capt. Elisha Cranson appointed captain of list to 
raise men to go to Canada, also commissioned captain May 3, 
'76, resigned 1780. The Cransons lived across the road from 
the brick house now occupied by Mr. Streeter. 

Wm. Darby engaged for the town of Montague; also in ser- 
vice prior to this. John Darby in Captain Bartlett's company, 
year not given . Thomas Dunton in 5 days ' expedition in Aug . , ' 77 . 

Levi Eldredge enl. Aug. 17, '77; dis. Aug. 22, '77. Benjamin 
Ellis, two enlistments in 1775, in May and October. David 
Ellis, age 17 yrs.; enlisted Aug. 12, 1780, service 5 mos. 6 days. 
John Ellis enl. May 7, 1775; service 3 mos. 7 days; also Lieut, 
in the 5 day expedition Aug. '77; also in Sept. and Oct., same 
year. Richard Ellis. Gad Elmer, Aug. 17, '77; 5 day expedition. 

Bildad Flower enl. May 8, '75; service 2 mos. 27 days; also 
engaged April 18, '81 for three years. Lamrock Flower, Aug. 
17, '77, service 5 days; also July 24, '80, engaged for 3 mos. 
David Frary enl. June 10, '75; in service that summer. Julius 
Frary enl. May 22, '75; service 23^2 mos.; also fifer Capt. 
Phillips' Co.; Dec. 23, '76, service 100 days at Ticonderoga; 
also July 10, '79, service 33 days, and in 1780 enl. for 3 mos. ; 
age 25 yrs. Aaron Fuller, age 41 yrs.; July 19, '80, service 13 
days, also in service afterwards as 6 mos. man. Isaac Fuller, in 
muster roll dated at Ticonderoga enl. to expire March 25, '77. 
Josiah Fuller, age 16 yrs.; July 15, '79; service 9 mos. Julius 
Fuller, bounty receipt dated May 21, '81, to serve 3 yrs. Cor- 
nelius Fuller, name not found in state list but called killed in 
battle by Mr. B. Howes' list. Solomon Fuller in Capt. Jennings' 
Co. sent to Bennington, Aug 17, '77; service 5 days. Ebenezer 
Forbush, several enlistments from Worcester County. 

Urish Gooding (Goodwin), four enlistments from Dec. '76 
to Dec. '80; age 42 yrs. Jonathan Gould enl. Capt. Benj. 
Phillips Co., Dec. '76; 100 days at Ticonderoga; also engaged 
April 2, '79 for 2 yrs. in Capt. Elisha Cranson's Co. Stephen 
Graves, May 10, '77, 2 mos. 6 days; also several lists after- 
wards; Graves claimed by Leverett and Ashfield, allowed to 
Ashfield. (Also see receipt copied by Mr. B. Howes, and in 
Ellis book.) Robert Gray enlisted from Pelham; enl. May 1, 
'75, service 3 mos. 8 days; also Sept. 23, '77, service 1 mo. 1 day, 
(Moved to Briar Hill). Samuel Guilford, Spencer, afterwards 



234 History of Ashfield 

Ashfield, three enlistments from April '75 to Dec. '77, (So. Ash- 
field). Four Joseph Gumeys given from Abington, one of which 
probably moved to Ashfield, (Spruce Comer). 

John J. Hankey, age 38; "engaged Apr. 22, '82, for town of 
N. Ashfield for 3 years. " Solomon Hill, enlisted at Bridgewater; 
three short enlistments, one for 9 mos. at "North River." 
(Moved to Spruce Corner.) Elisha Howes, enl. Aug. '77; ser- 
vice 5 days on expedition to northern department at the time of 
the battle of Bennington. Kimball Howes, same as Elisha. 
(Lived in New Boston.) Zachariah Howes enl. May 10, '77; 
service 2 mos. 8 days, (see also receipt from selectmen in B. 
Howes' book and in Ellis book p. 305). (From Briar Hill — 
brother to Micajah). 

Capt. Ephraim Jennings, named as Sergeant, Lieut, and 
Capt. ; four short enlistments from April '75 to Aug. '79. (Most 
of the Ashfield soldiers were in his or Capt. Phillips' Co.) 
(Lived in Wardville, near schoolhouse.) Anthony Jones, four 
enlistments to Oct. '77; reported as being in Quebec expedition. 

Abner Kelley, service at Ticonderoga in May and June, '77, 
(see also town receipt). (Cape Street, south end.) Jacob 
Kilbum. Simeon King, three enlistments from May, '75 to 
Dec. '80, one for 3 yrs. 

Ziba Leonard, three short enlistments; went from Bridge- 
water; came to Ashfield; lived in Apple Valley where Mrs. E. P. 
Williams does. Stephen Lyon, three enlistments first part of 
war; reported having gone to Quebec. Isaac Lewis, age 25 
years; two enlistments, April, '75, 2 mos. 11 days; also 6 mos. 
man in '80. Timothy Lewis, age 16 yrs. ; two enlistments about 
3 mos. each, '79 and '80. (Timothy Lewis' family lived north- 
west of where Allison Howes now does.) Joseph Lilly, two 
enlistments in '75. (Shays man, lived opposite Geo. Ward house 
below Mrs. Underhill's.) Bethuel Lilly, age 18 yrs.; list dated 
July 24, '80; also enl. Aug. 12, '81 for 3 mos. (Said to have been 
guard at the execution of Andre) ; owned farm in New Boston 
now occupied by his great grandson Frederick. Jonathan Lilly, 
sergeant, enl. Aug. 12, '75, service 1 mo. 8 days, (father of 
Bethuel ; lived about 50 rods above his great grandson, Allison 
Howes). Samuel Lincoln, age 16 yrs.; service 6 mos. in 1780; 
in '81 engaged for 3 yrs. Eliphalet Lindsley, May 10, '77; 
service 2 mos. 8 days; also July 29, '80 for 3 mos.; (name in 
town receipt). James Linsey enl. Jime 15, '75; service 1 mo. 
18 days. Aaron Lyon, 2 enhstments, Jan. 6, '77, also Sept. 22, 
'77. Jonathan Lyon, age 21; enl. July 21, '80; service 4 mos. 
21 days; also July 21, '81 for 3 yrs.; pensioned '82 for loss of 



The Revolution 235 

left arm. Nathan Lyon, five enlistments from April 26, '75 to 
Aug. 21, 77. 

Calvin Maynard, given by Mr. B. Howes, but we are not able 
to locate him in state list. Alexander Mclntire, Aug. 17, '77; 
service 5 days. Thomas Mclntire enl. April 22, '75; service 5 
days; also April 27, '75; service 3 mos. 11 days. Stephen 
Merrill enl. Jan. 6, '77, service 86 days. Daniel Miles, Feb. 24, 
'77, 1 mo. 17 days; also May 10, '77, service about 2 mos.; 
also July 21, '80, enl. for 6 mos.; also old receipt in town 
papers for "six shillings for carrying my Pack from Ashfield 
to Benningtown." Barnabas or Bemice McNitt, reported 8 mos. 
man. 

Caleb Packard, service 15 days; enlisted from Bridgewater, 
(moved to Spruce Comer). Joseph Ruggles Paine enl. July 10, 
'77; service 30 days. Daniel Perkins died in the service aged 
about 25. Eliab Perkins, Aug. '77, service 5 days; Bennington. 
Timothy Perkins enl. Sept. 22, '77; service about 1 mo.; died 
in a military hospital in N. Y. Benjamin Phillips, in list of 
officers chosen May 3, '76; April 19, '75, in service 5 days; also 
April 27, '75, in service 3 mos. 11 days; afterwards reported as 
having gone to Quebec; mentioned as captain at Ticonderoga 
and elsewhere; also mentioned in Phillips' Genealogy as pris- 
oner at Quebec for a while. Caleb Phillips enl. Dec. 10, '77; 
in service most of the time for 2 yrs. Daniel Phillips, in service 
through summer of '75; afterwards enlisted for 3 yrs. Elijah 
Phillips enl. Sept. 17, '76; 120 miles mileage allowed. Elijah 
Phillips, age 16; enl. July 19, '79, for 9 mos. Pierce Phillips, 
Aug. 7, '80; service 6 days. Thomas Phillips, in service summer 
of '75; enl. May 7, '75. Ziba Phillips, '78, a 9 mos. man. 

Francis Ranney enlisted from Connecticut. Moses Rawson 
enlisted from Grafton, April 26, '77, for 3 yrs.; lived just over 
the line in Buckland; buried in Northwest cemetery. Zepha- 
niah Richmond enlisted from Taunton; service 2 mos. 20 days 
from Dec. '76. Benjamin Rogers enl. Sept. 22, '77, dis. Oct. 18, 
'77. Henry Rogers enlisted several places; in last part of war, 
from Ashfield; died in the service. John Rogers enl. Jan. 9, '77 
for 3 yrs. 

John Sadler, age 18; term 8 mos.; also July 21, '80; service 
2 mos. 25 days. Elias Sawyer enl. Aug. 17, '77; dis. Aug. 21, 
'77. Jonathan Sears enlisted from Harwich, July 10, '75; 
service 6 mos. 7 days; also served in Capt. Bangs' Co.; also 
three more enlistments to Sept. 7, '78; moved to Cape Street. 

Paul Sears, July 10; service 38 days. Richard Sears. Roland 
Sears, April 20, '75, service 5 days: April 26, '75, service 3 mos. 



236 History of Ashfield 

11 days; also Aug. 17, '77; dis. Aug. 21, '77. Asa Selden, age 
28; July 21, '80, service 4 mos. 28 days. Azariah Selden, July 
'78, 19 days' service; also one other enlistment. Isaac and 
Jesse Selden, June 25, 1779, service 5 mos. 6 days. Joseph 
Shaddock, 6 mos. man for 1780; also enl. Sept. 22, '77; dis. 
Oct. 2, '77. Daniel Shaw enl. April 22, '77 for 5 days; then 
reenlisted for the summer; afterward enl. for 3 yrs. Charles 
Simpson. Elisha Smith, muster roll at Ticonderoga, Feb. '77; 
on command at the mills; also Jan. 6, '77, service 80 days; 
also enl. Aug. 17, '77; dis. Aug. 22, '77. Ebenezer Smith, also 
in old French War. Enos Smith enl. July 10, '77; dis. Aug. 12, 
'77; service in Northern department. Jedediah Smith, age 26; 
July 19, '80, 6 mos. man. Jonathan Smith, age 19; July 21, '80, 
enl. 6 mos. Joseph Smith enl. Aug. 17, '77. Moses Smith, not 
able to locate in state list but Mr. B. Howes reports him as 
killed. Nehemiah Smith, age 16; enl. July 21, '80, service 2 
mos. 29 days; also enl. April 7, '81, 3 yrs. Preserved Smith — 
Mr. Ellis says he entered service in '75 when only 16 — records 
give Dec. 23, '76; service 100 days; reported on command at 
blockhouse, this at Ticonderoga; also May 10, '77; dis. July 
8, '77; also Aug. 17, '77; dis. Aug. 21, '77; also Aug. 26, '77, 
service 3 mos. 23 days. Simeon Smith enl. May 4, '75, service 
3 mos. 3 days. Benjamin Sprague enl. May 8, '75, service 1 
mo. 12 days ; also afterwards enl. for 8 mos. Nehemiah Sprague, 
5 days in service April 22, '75, on Lexington alarm; also 3 mos. 
11 days through the season of '75; also enl. Sept. 22, '77; dis. 
Oct. 18, '77. Jonathan Sprague enl. July 10, '77; service 38 
days. Laban Stetson enlisted from Abington on Lexington 
alarm; also four other short enlistments to 1780; (Moved to 
Spruce Comer where he was buried.) Lemuel Stocking, age 21 ; 
was in service in '77 ; also enl. July 1, '80 for 6 mos. 

Ezekiel Taylor enl. May 10, '77; dis. July 8,77; also enl. 
Aug. 17, '77, in service 3 mos. 20 days. Jasher Taylor, in service 
through season of '75; also engaged May 16, '81 for 3 years. 
Stephen Taylor, age 17; July 19, '79, engaged for 9 mos. Jona- 
than Taylor enl. July 10, '77, service 30 davs; also enl. Sept. 22, 
'77; dis. Oct. 16, '77. Jonathan Taylor, jr., enl. Sept. 22, '77; 
dis. Oct. 18, '77; also enl. July 20, '77, service 30 days. Henry 
Taylor enl. Dec. 23, '76 to Mar. 23, '77; also Aug. 17, '77 to 
Aug. 22, '77; also Sept. 22, '77 to Oct. 2, '77; also 9 mos. man 
in '78. Jason Taylor, 9 mos. man in '78. Stephen Taylor, 2nd, 
age 20; in '80 engaged for 3 mos. David Vincent, July 1, '77; 
served 5 mos., 19 days; enl. from Cape. (Moved to Ashfield, 
Northwest.) 



The Revolution 237 

Asa Wait enl. May 10, 77; dis. July 8, 77. Elijah Wait. 
Caleb Ward enl. June 17, 75; service 1 mo. 17 days. Daniel 
Ward enl. Aug. 17, 77; dis. Aug. 21, 77. John Ward, age 59; 
enlisted for Buckland July 2, '80, for 6 mos. Joseph Warren enl. 
July 10, 77; dis. Oct. 18, 77. Timothy Warren, age 19; in 
1780 enlistment for 6 mos. ; '81 enl. 3 yrs. Cornelius Warren, 
not on state list, but Mr. B. Howes reports him as killed. 
Luther Washburn enl. May 13, '75, service 2 mos. 24 days; 
also April 22, '79, enlisted for the war. Isaac Washburn, April 
22, '75 to April 26, '75; also enl. April 27, '75, service 3 mos. 11 
days; also 3 mos. at Ticonderoga. Samuel Washburn, the 5 
days' service after Lexington alarm; also 3 mos. 11 days that 
season. Joshua Whelden, in service season of '76; also enl. 
Sept. 22, '77; dis. Oct. 18, '77. Stephen Warren. Jonathan 
Yeomans. 



CHAPTER XIV 



CEMETERIES 



The "History of the Connecticut Valley" and the Ellis book both 
assume that the Baptist Comer Cemetery is the oldest in town, 
but there does not seem to be proof that the first burial in the 
town was there. Jane Phillips, wife of Richard Ellis, died in 
1760 and the Ellis monument in Beldingville bears testimony 
to her burial here. A letter of Aaron Smith of Stockton, N. Y., 
in 1851, to his cousin Ziba, quoted in the Ellis book, page 402, 
writes of a sister of Chileab being the first person buried in the 
Baptist burial ground. By looking at the births given in the 
Smith genealogy it seems highly probable that this burial was 
subsequent to that in Beldingville. It is quite possible that 
both the Beldingville and Plain Cemeteries were occupied before 
that in Baptist Corner. In 1767, a child of Jonathan Lilly was 
buried back of where the meetinghouse was to stand on the 
Plain. A small stone still standing marks the spot. December 
17, 1769, in town meeting it was "Voted to purchase a piece of 
la.nd by the meeting house for a Burying Place; also voted and 
chose Mr. Nathan Wait and Capt. Moses Fuller and Timothy 
Perkins a committee to purchase and lay out a burial place." 
In 1770, they purchased an acre and a half of land of Silas Lillie 
for 30s. This plat was the northwest comer of Lot No. 18 and 
was what is now the old part of the Plain burial ground. The 
frame of the church had been put up here in 1767, so it was 
decided that the burial ground must be near the church, as was 
the custom in those days. 

In 1772, it was voted to purchase a burial place of Chileab 
Smith for 12s. 6d. — this the Baptist Comer yard. 

Many of the older graves in the three yards are unmarked 
save by small rough stones without names or dates. The grave 
of Richard Ellis, the first settler, is marked by a substantial 
monument erected in the Beldingville grounds by the Ellis 
family in 1887. The grave of Thomas Phillips, the second 



240 History of Ashfield 

settler of the town and brother-in-law of Richard Ellis, is un- 
marked, but some of the Phillips descendants claim that it is 
directly back of the Ellis monument in the next row to the east. 
Heber Honestman, the negro who was one of the fifteen original 
members forming the Congregational Church, died in 1768 and 
was doubtless buried here. 

Samuel Nightingale was refused burial here because he was 
believed to be a wizard and in league with the devil. He was 
buried about forty rods east of the cemetery near the foot of a 
large chestnut tree — now going to decay — in the edge of the 
first small ravine in what is now Mr. Kendrick's pasture. Dr. 
Ellis says of him, " One of the first settlers was Samuel Nightin- 
gale. His cabin was on the north side of the road, the back of 
which was built up against the face of a large rock. Nightingale 
was an emigrant from England, and was a man of uncommon 
learning but, withal, so queer in his ways that he was counted a 
wisard. " This rock can be seen from the highway on the east- 
erly side of. Bellows Hill some fifty rods west of the Jesse Hall 
house. John Nightingale, probably a relative, bought land here 
in 1743 and had a house on the top of the hill by the road leading 
to the old corn mill. Nightingale is a common name in the 
early history of Braintree. The place where this recluse led his 
hermit life, and the place of his burial, was once pointed out to 
the writer by the grandfather of Leon Hall. The only apology 
that can be made for our ancestors for thus ostracising this man 
from his fellows in life and in death, is that they still believed 
that witchcraft was from his Satanic majesty and they desired to 
be on the safe side and avoid contamination. 

Among the oldest stones here are those of Richard Ellis, Jesse 
Ranney, Reuben Ellis, John Ellis. These last three were Revo- 
lutionary soldiers. 

There are many unmarked graves in the Baptist Corner 
Cemetery. The graves of the three Chileabs near together are 
pointed out, but are unmarked. Unless something is done to 
mark the spot, in a few years the location will be unknown. 
Several others of the Smith family who were Revolutionary 
soldiers are buried here. John Alden and Japheth Chapin were 



Cemeteries 241 

also soldiers. The last named has no stone, but an iron marker 
at his grave. The Shepards, Lyons and Elmers are also here. 
The stone of the grandfather of Mary Lyon on her mother's side 
has this inscription: "In memory of Deacon Isaac Shepard, 
who departed this life May 13, 1802, aged 69 years. 

A husband dear, a father kind, 

A pious heart, a patient mind; 

He's left all things below in peace, 

And gone we trust, where sorrows cease. 

His body rests beneath this bed 

Till Gabriel's trump shall wake the dead. " 

The stone of the father of Mary Lyon is also here and has 
this inscription: "Aaron Lyon, died Dec. 21, 1802, aged 45. 

A loving husband, kind and true, 

A tender father was, also; 

A faithful son, a brother dear, 

A peaceful neighbor was while here. 

Though now his body here doth rest. 

We trust his soul's among the blest." 

This cemetery has been sadly neglected, but a movement for 
its improvement has lately begun which it is hoped will be con- 
tinued. The resting place of the man who so strenuously re- 
sisted religious oppression, and the ancestors of Mary Lyon 
should not be forgotten. 

In the back part of the Plain cemetery there are many un- 
marked graves. Among the oldest inscriptions here are Isaac 
Crittenden, 1773, aged 74; Wm. Ward, 1778, aged 63; John 
Saddler, 1781, aged 63; Isaac Taylor, 1786, aged 76; Dr. 
Phineas Bartlett, 1799, aged 54. The stone at the grave of 
Phillip Phillips, Esq., is broken off and partly buried in the 
earth. It should be rescued by his descendants. 

In 1860, Mr. H. S. Ranney bought of Henry Paine and the 
heirs of Samuel W. Hall a little over an acre of land west of and 
adjoining the old cemetery, had the wall removed and the plot 
regularly laid out into avenues and burial lots 20 ft. by 10 ft., 
which were put on sale for $3 each for family lots, thus establish- 
ing system and order, of which before there had been but little. 

After the organization of the Ashfield Burial Ground Asso- 
ciation, they bought in 1890 this plot of ground for $150 of Mr. 



242 History of Ashfield 

Ranney, he reserving the lots already sold. In 1893, they 
bought of Mrs. Miranda Alden two acres more on the west, 
making now about five acres in the whole cemetery. The 
grounds have been well laid out and in the main the lots are 
well cared for, so that the condition of the cemetery is a credit 
to the town. 

The Northwest Cemetery is located in a lonely spot in a 
pasture owned by Clinton Wing in the northwest part of the 
town, and was laid out before 1800. People express surprise that 
such a place should have been selected, but at that time there 
was a road, a portion of which can now be traced, running from 
David Williams', now F. H. Smith's, over the hill westerly 
directly past this spot and then on by Israel Williams', now 
W. S. Williams' house. The oldest headstone here is that of 
Thomas Howes, 1793, great-great-grandfather to Allison, Albert 
and Abbott Howes. But few people have been buried here since 
1850, excepting Mrs. Ruth Taylor, aged 99, who was buried 
there in 1867. The lot contains a little over one-fourth of an 
acre. There a:;e about fifty graves with probably one-fourth of 
them unmarked. This isolated spot was seldom visited; a por- 
tion of the wall around it had fallen down so that cattle ran over 
the yard, and bushes and ferns were growing over it. 

In 1906, Zebulon B. Taylor of Tacoma, Washington, whose 
boyhood days were spent in this Northwest school district, and 
whose parents and other relatives were buried in this yard, 
visited the place and decided upon a change. A substantial 
wall was relaid around it, the bushes cut or torn up and the 
ground manured and reseeded. 

A quit claim deed of the yard and the right of way to it was 
secured conveying it to the Ashfield Burial Ground Association. 
Mr. Taylor employed Mr. George Howes, one of the oldest 
residents in that section, to obtain as far as possible a list of those 
buried in the unmarked graves. The next year, he came again 
and erected a substantial bronze monument about eight feet high, 
with the names of all those buried in the yard inscribed upon it. 
He also had a smaller monument placed over the graves of his 
parents. Over $1,000 was expended in making the change. 



Cemeteries 243 

Among the names on the larger monument are Zephaniah Rich- 
mond, Ebenezer Forbes, OHver Rawson, a Revolutionary 
soldier who saw much service, and Peter Wells, after whom Peter 
Hill was named. His inscription reads, "Peter Wells died 1829 
aged 95 years. A colored man brought from Africa and held 
until the Royal Government ended." 

Mr. Taylor died in Los Angeles, California, in May, 1909, and 
left by his will a legacy of $1,000 to the town of Ashfield, the 
income of which is to be applied to the perpetual care of the 
Northwest Cemetery. 

The Spruce Comer burying ground was laid out about 1790. 
The wife of Capt. Elisha Cranston was buried there in 1792, 
Jonathan Cranston in 1799, Capt. Elisha Cranston in 1804, and 
Lot Bassett in 1835. The families of Jenkins, Beals, Dyers, 
Stetsons and Fords, settlers from Abington, are buried here. 
There are graves of at least eight Revolutionary soldiers in this 
small yard. 

The cemetery on the hill or "Flat" was laid out in 1813 on 
land bought of Dr. Enos Smith. Its north line was about three 
rods south of the meeting house which was being built that year. 
The first person buried here was Alanson Lilly, 1814, son of 
Captain Bethuel and grandson of Jonathan, whose child was 
the first buried in the Plain ground. Two of the early ministers, 
Rev. Nehemiah Porter and Rev. Alvan Sanderson, also the early 
magistrates. Esquires Williams, Paine and Bassett, are buried 
here. 

The stone of Abner Kelley, who died Feb. 25, 1825, aged 76, 
bears this quaint and original inscription: 

"An apoplectic seisd my powers 
When I was not expecting death; 
The conflict lasted twenty hours, 
And then I yielded up my breath." 

The hearse house stood in the northeast comer of the yard, — 
painted black — a conspicuous object. 

After the removal of the church in 1856, the cemetery was 
enlarged to its present capacity, and the new part has been kept 
in a manner creditable to the owners of the lots. 



244 History of Ashfield 

The Briar Hill cemetery was laid out about 1820. The oldest 
marked stone is 1828. The earlier Grays, Smiths, also the 
Blakes and the Knowltons, two prominent families of the town, 
are buried here. This yard has been kept in good order by the 
people of the neighborhood. 

It was formerly customary when there was no cemetery in 
the vicinity, to have a family burial ground. Heman Howes 
and some of his descendants were buried on the summit of the 
knoll about thirty rods northeast of the house where Myron L. 
Howes now lives, but the remains were afterwards moved to the 
Plain cemetery. Howard Edson was buried in his mowing lot, 
about twenty rods southwesterly from the Edson house now 
owned by Dana L. Graves. These remains were also removed to 
the Plain cemetery. A few graves of the Edson family are in 
the lot a few rods westerly from where Freeman Barnes lives. 
David Howes and wife with a few others are buried near the 
junction of the two roads at the top of the hill easterly from the 
South Ashfield post office. A few of the earlier Guilfords were 
buried on the Petermann place on the old road about three- 
fourths of a mile southerly from South Ashfield. 

Seventy-five years ago there was a yard in what is now the 
mowing lot of Charles Lilly where about thirty people were 
buried. No stones were up and in the course of time the grounds 
were smoothed over by the plow and no trace of it now remains. 
Joshua Knowlton, grandfather of Nathan and Joshua, was 
buried here. When the "Vital Statistics of Ashfield" are pub- 
lished, the column designating the place of burial will be marked 
with many an "Unknown." 

Some sixty years ago a stranger visiting the town wrote to a 
Greenfield paper, "During our walks about the place, we 
strayed into the village burying ground, but found there such 
a collection of unmarked graves and broken grave stones that 
made us hope we should never die in Ashfield. There was, 
however, another yard on the hill, but the hearse house near it 
was so hideously painted we dared not enter. ' ' 

In 1862, the town voted to relinquish all claim the town had 
on Lot No. 54 for use of the cemetery. Lot No. 54 was school 
land and included the cemetery on the hill. 



Cemeteries 245 

In 1860, mainly through the efforts of Mr. John Sprague, the 
South Ashfield Cemetery Association was organized, about two 
acres of land purchased, and a ground well laid out. 

In 1875, in town meeting it was voted, "To raise $75 to put 
the cemeteries in town in good condition ' ' and a committee was 
chosen for that purpose. 

In 1887, the Ashfield Burial Ground Association was formed 
and in 1889 forty-one of the leading men of the town, headed by 
Chauncey Boice and Charles Eliot Norton, petitioned the 
Legislature for an act of incorporation. It was granted that 
winter, giving the Association full corporate powers to perform 
the duties contemplated and giving it authority to hold real 
and personal estate to the amount of $10,000. Chauncey Boice 
was elected president and A. D. Flower secretary, with five 
directors. After Mr. Flower's removal from town, Alvan Hall 
was chosen secretary and treasurer.- After his decease, J. M. 
Sears was chosen and continued in that office until 1909, when 
he resigned and A. W. Howes was chosen in his stead. After 
the death of Mr. Boice, his son Sanford was chosen president 
in his place. 

In 1893, the town deeded to this Association all its right and 
title in the old cemetery on the Plain and quit claim deeds have 
been secured from parties owning land adjacent to the Spruce 
Comer, Baptist Comer and Northwest cemeteries. 

This organization is supposed not only to have an interest 
in all the cemeteries of the town, but is a medium by which 
people can insure perpetual care for individual lots. Thus, a 
person leaving by will $50 or $100 to the Association for the 
care of his lot is supposed to have the income of that sum, as far 
as needed, expended annually in keeping his lot in good con- 
dition. The Association has received over $2,000 for this 
purpose. It was formed at the suggestion of Professor Norton^ 
and has done, and is still doing, excellent work. 

The early arrangements for funerals were very primitive. 
It is related that one of the early settlers of Cape Street, Eld- 
ridge by name, lost his young wife soon after settling here and 
was obliged to make the coffin himself. 



246 History of Ashfield 

For a time the town took up the undertaking business. In 
1840, it was voted to buy a hearse and build a hearse house, 
also to have sextons for all cemeteries. A hearse house was 
accordingly built as has been stated, in the corner of the burial 
yard on the hill. It was about twelve feet square, painted 
black with white trimmings. In 1842, it was voted to pay for 
coffins and other funeral charges, and in 1844 voted to buy 
elliptic springs for the hearse. 

The first town contract for coffins was made with Jonathan 
Lilly, who made them for many years. Afterwards they were 
made by Cyrus N. Howes. The contract was for a pine coffin 
properly stained, lined with cambric, with the initials and age 
of the deceased made with brass nails on the inside of the lid. 
If an extra coffin was desired, one of cherry or black walnut, this 
was paid for by friends of the deceased. In 1847, the total of 
funeral expenses, viz., a common coffin, digging and covering 
grave and going with hearse, averaged $8.50. 

The sexton, besides ringing the bell at noon and 9 P. M., was 
required to toll it at each death and then strike the age of the 
deceased person. In the first place the bell was rung for about 
five minutes to attract the attention of those within its sound, 
then it was tolled about half a dozen strokes with an interval of 
a minute between each. The age was then struck, with a brief 
pause between each ten. The bell was also tolled at a burial 
when it was to be near the church, beginning when the pro- 
cession came in sight and continuing until the ceremony at the 
grave was completed. Undertakers and funeral directors had 
not then been thought of, neighbors and friends performing the 
kindly offices needed. 

CASUALTIES 

§( Dr. Shepard gives quite a full account of the drowning of five 
persons in 1827. The place where the boat was overturned was 
where the water is quite deep between the lower end of the pond 
and the Buckland road. About the time of the accident the 
stage with its load of passengers drove into the village and 
stopped at the hotel to change horses. One of the passengers, 



Cemeteries 247 

a young man, hurried to the pond, threw off his clothes, dove 
down and brought up all the bodies, then hastily dressing, he 
left the town with the other passengers. In the excitement no 
one learned his name or residence, and the tradition of the 
heroic deed comes down to us with the actor unknown. 

Dr. Shepard speaks of the funeral being at the house of Dea- 
con Lyon. He lived where Addison Graves now does, and it is said 
that the services were held out of doors, with the five coffins 
arranged on the green lawn in front of the house. Dea. David 
Lyon was an uncle of Mary Lyon, who had been a student and 
a teacher here. We give this extract from a letter written by 
Miss Hannah White to Miss Lyon, who was then at Byfield: 

I sent you two papers a few weeks since partly as a token of 
remembrance, and partly to give you a concise account of the 
late afflictive Providence. If I am permitted again to see you, 
I shall feel a mournful pleasure in recounting the circumstances 
of the affecting scene. Your Aunt Lyon reflected great honor 
on the cause of religion that day. It seems as though there 
could not be a greater triumph of grace over nature. I believe 
no one who saw her could refrain from acknowledging she 
possessed something more than nature can give. My Father 
bore her the surprising intelligence, which she received with the 
utmost composure. He first told her of her son, then of Mr. 
Drake, then of her grandsons, when she replied, "I am feeble, 
but I can sympathise with my husband in the loss of our family, 
I will go to him; no doubt it is his wish." He then told her 
he would carry her up, but she would find her dear husband in 
the same situation with those he had described. She replied in 
the words of Job, "The Lord gave" &c, and praised his name 
that he had left one male member of her family. Your cousin 
Marshall was one who escaped after the boat upset. He said 
after one foot rested upon solid ground, he felt the iron grasp of 
Drake around the other foot, but by a mighty effort he dis- 
entangled himself. He saw his brother following him, and 
saw him clasped by his little nephew in the same manner in 
which they were drawn from the water. This event has caused 
a general solemnity in town, but we fear it will not be lasting. 

On the day of the funeral while Noah Douglass and wife were 
attending the services, their girl of eleven years who was left at 
home to care for the children, attempted to crawl through an 



248 History of Ashfield 

open window and was killed by the falling of the sash. Mr. 
Douglass lived at the comer of the road about half a mile below 
where F. H. Smith lives. 

Two years after this event, one summer morning an insane 
person came into the house of Mr. Catlin in Baptist Comer and 
cut the throat of an infant from ear to ear as it lay quietly 
sleeping. A small broken stone in the old cemetery in that 
neighborhood has this inscription: Timothy, son of Timothy 
and Electa Catlin died July 7, 1829, aged 17 mos. 

Weep not for the babe thou couldst not save, 
Oh, give it with joy to the God who first gave. 
For firm is the promise our Saviour has given 
Who said that of such is the kingdom of Heaven. 

The insane man was taken to the asylum and for many years 
there was recorded on the town books the sum annually paid 
at the insane asylum for Alfred Elmer. 

In 1851, Arnold Packard was killed by a large stone falling 
on him while building a dam for Dea. Daniel Williams of Spruce 
Comer. 

The oldest stone in the Plain cemetery is that of a child of 
Jonathan Lilly who met death by falling into a tub of scalding 
water in 1767. 

In 1838 Joseph Ranney, who lived near where Arthur Wil- 
liams does, was killed by the falling of a tree. He was the father 
of Samuel Ranney, late of Spruce Comer. 

On the afternoon of May 5, 1881, a barn belonging to the 
Bassett estate in Spruce Comer was burned and Miss Abigail 
Bassett, aged 82, perished in the flames. Her two brothers 
with whom she had always lived, having died not long before, 
she was at this time living alone in the house. Her charred 
body was found on the burning hay mow after the bam had 
nearly burned down. The embers in the fireplace in the house 
had recently been raked together, and it was thought that 
some of her woolen clothing might have caught fire, which she 
carried to the bam with her where she was accustomed to go to 
look for eggs and after she had passed up the short ladder on to 
the mow, the hay caught fire from the smouldering clothing. 



Cemeteries 249 

On December 10, 1878, a great freshet swept over the Green 
Mountain region of this state, caused by a powerful rain falling 
upon fifteen inches of newly fallen snow. As evening came on, 
the temperature rapidly grew warm, the thermometer rose 
twenty-five degrees in two hours, and the melting snow filled by 
the accumulated rainfall of the day, came down the hillsides in 
torrents. At nine o'clock in the evening the Great Pond reser- 
voir in this town, on South River, gave way, immediately 
draining off the seventy-five acres of water that had there been 
held in check, thus precipitating a great flood into the valley 
below. The grist mill of A. D. Flower on the stream back of 
the hotel and the tannery of L. C. Sanderson, at the center 
village, were destroyed. At South Ashfield, three dwelling 
houses, two bams and a blacksmith shop were swept away on 
the instant that the flood reached them. In the southwest part 
of the town, Darius Williams' reservoir broke away, carrying 
his large sawmill to destruction. The roads and bridges here 
and throughout the region were greatly damaged. Through 
the valley in the course of South River, the fields, fences and 
bridges suffered almost total destruction. 

A tornado passed through the town on Sunday afternoon. 
May 28, 1882. The following account is from the Gazette and 
Courier: 

THE TORNADO IN ASHFIELD 

The storm was more destructive to property than any ever 
before witnessed in town. Two smart thunder showers coming 
from different directions — southerly and northwesterly — 
seemed to meet and unite about a mile westerly from the village, 
forming an awful hurricane that took a northeast course across 
the town. Fences, buildings and trees were like straws in its 
pathway and were tossed in the air like toys. The first damage 
done of much amount was the total wreck of Henry Lilly's bam. 
His house was racked so that the doors shut with difficulty if 
at all. The bam on the Geo. Hall place was next laid flat. Geo. 
Bassett's new bam was partially unroofed. The storm crossed 
the pond west of the village, not harming a building till it 
reached Williams & Stetson's bam, which it completely un- 
roofed, carrying it more than forty rods. It also ruined three 
large maple trees in front of their house. No other buildings were 



250 History of Ashfield 

destroyed till the tornado reached Baptist Comer, where it 
completely ruined Martin Bronson's bam, the bam on the Dea. 
Ziba Smith place, and also Houghton Smith's new bam was torn 
all to pieces, some of the eight-inch timbers being carried one- 
fourth of a mile. Wilson Elmer, John and Chas. Hale — in the 
north part of Conway — each lost a bam. The storm seemed to 
have a particular spite toward apple and sugar orchards. But 
very few apple trees remain standing in the line of the storm, 
and George Church's and A. Shippee's sugar orchards are nearly 
destroyed. It seems miraculous that no houses were torn down 
and no one hurt seriously. E. B. Williams was in his bam when 
the roof was taken. He was knocked down by a falling timber 
and then buried beneath one of the big doors, but escaped with 
slight injuries. 

Horace Perkins of Ashfield, eighteen years of age, was killed in 
1808 while at work for Colonel Ames who was building the 
church in Northboro similar to our town hall. On July 1, he 
was on the top of the tower above the bell deck while lumber 
was being hoisted up to him by block and tackle and in reaching 
out for the ropes he lost his balance, fell headlong to the ground 
and was instantly killed. 

Rev. Mr. Sanderson in his Diary says, "July 5, Visited at 
Mr. Eliab Perkins' whose son Horace was last week killed in 
Northboro by a fall from a meeting house frame. " 




TOWN HALL, ASHFIELD 



CHAPTER XV 



THE NEW MEETINGHOUSE 



In 1801, "Voted to choose a Committee to fix a spot on which 
to set the new Meeting house." 1805, "Voted to repair the old 
Meeting house." In 1810, "Voted to build a new Meeting house 
on the spot fixed by the Committee in 1801 ." It was planned to 
place it in as near the geographical center of the town as possible, 
and a surveyor was employed to find that spot. An inner circle 
was formed touching the outer lines of the town and lines were 
drawn through the center of this circle to opposite sides. A plan 
of this survey is preserved in the clerk's office. The exact 
center was declared to be at the foot of the hill just below the 
present creamery building. But that not being a favorable 
location, the Committee decided to place it on the "Flat" a few 
rods east of where Mrs. Wright now lives. There seemed to be 
opposition to this and it was finally "Voted to proceed to 
build the Meeting house and to leave it to a disinterested Com- 
mittee of three persons to decide in what place to build the 
Meeting house. " These three men to be from Hawley, Conway 
and Plainfield. This Committee attended to their duty and the 
following is their report: 

We the Subscribers being a Committee chosen by the Inhabi- 
tants of the town of Ashfield to determine on a Place proper to 
erect a Meeting House for public Worship, have closely attended 
to the Business by viewing the various Roads and by hearing 
the various Pleas for and against the different contemplated 
Places; make the following report: — viewing all matters on a 
fair and impartial Scale, we find a Place, which in our Opinion 
will accommodate the South West, West and a Part of the 
Northwest Section of the Town, containing about eighty-five 
Families; which will as well commode the other Part of the 
North West, North, Northeast and East Sections of said Town, 
containing about forty- two Families; which will also commode 
with no very great Expence to the Society, the whole South East 
Section, containing about twenty-nine Families; — and will 
finally accommodate the plain Section containing about eighteen 
Families should they exercise that Condescension Men and 



252 History of Ashfield 

Christians ought to do; — this Place we are constrained from 
Principles of Justice and Equity is on the Hill near the Rev'^. 
Mr. Porter's where we have placed the stake: — 

Wishing and hoping that all Party Feeling may subside and 
that this Christian Society may be united in the Bonds of 
Friendship, and love; and may live in peace; and that the God 
of Peace may be with them here, and at last bring them to his 
holy Temple in the Heavens. 

We are yours 

Ashfield, February the 20th 1812 

Edmund Longley 
Elisha Billings 
John Hamlen 

Eight days after, "Voted that the building Committee do 
place the Meeting House on the spot fixed on by the above said 
Committee in such a Position as they shall think proper." 

As the church about to be built is the present town hall, it 
may be of interest to record some of the votes concerning it. 
A strong committee representing different sections of the town 
was chosen to draw a plan of the meetinghouse and appraise 
the pews and report at a future meeting. The committee were 
Dr. Enos Smith, Ehjah Paine, Esq., Ephraim Williams, Esq., 
Thomas White, Esq., Capt. Bethuel Lilly, Levi Cook, Esq., 
James Andrews, Jr., Abner Kelley, Nathaniel Holmes, Joseph 
Hall, Elisha Wing, Capt. Benjamin Gates, Daniel Williams, 
Roland Sears, Capt. Samuel Dunham, and Simeon Phillips. 
Voted at the next meeting to accept the report of the committee, 
also to cover the meetinghouse with white pine clapboards and 
shingles, that the glass for the meetinghouse be of the size of 
7x9. This committee was also to superintend the building 
of the house. January 14, 1812, $5,000 was voted for building 
the house, but a month later this vote was rescinded and $2,000 
raised. Dr. Enos Smith, Elijah Paine, Esq., and Levi Cook 
were chosen a committee to sell the pews and collect the money 
therefor. 

The contract for building was let to Col. John Ames of Buck- 
land, a thorough builder. It is said that nearly two hundred 
thousand feet of lumber were used in its construction. Some 



The New Meetinghouse 253 

of the massive timbers twelve inches square, hewn smoother 
than if sawed in modern times, can still be seen in the loft above 
the hall. A large concourse of people were at the raising and 
Mr. Thomas Hall, father of Mrs. Lydia Miles, and grandfather 
of Dr. G. Stanley Hall, was one of the few men who volunteered 
to place the timbers in the tower and steeple. 

September 4, 1813, the contractor, broken in health by hard 
labor, heavy responsibility and fear of loss, committed suicide 
by cutting his throat with a chisel in the back part of what is 
now the cemetery on the hill. The building was finished by the 
committee, but was not ready for occupancy until the summer 
of 1814. Its outside appearance at that time was very much as 
at present but the interior is thus described by one still living 
who gives her vivid childhood impression: 

Our meeting house was the pride of our people. No meeting 
house in any of the surrounding towns could equal it in size or 
beauty. The beautiful and curious window at the west end, 
back of the pulpit, was a marvel in our eyes. The height of the 
steeple — O, it was magnificent. The sweet tone of our bell — 
the sweetest ever heard by mortal ears. The man of iron at the 
highest point showing the direction of the wind, all, all ours. 

She describes the interior as one large room with a gallery on 
three sides instead of an upper and a lower room as at present. 

A row of square, box-like pews extended along each side of the 
three aisles. The seats were hung on hinges on three sides of 
the pew. The old folks sat facing the minister, and the children 
facing their parents. Poor children! how often your heads 
got a sudden and undeserved rap! For some man being over- 
crowded and desiring a change of position, in placing his arm on 
the railing of the pew, unconsciously thrust his elbow into the 
bonnet and head of a little girl in the adjoining pew which vexed 
her greatly and did not improve her disposition or the looks of 
her bonnet. 

In the center of the west end of the room was the wonderful 
pulpit, cone shaped, fluted up and down and painted a pale pea 
green color. It was entered by a winding stairway not visible 
to the children who wondered how the minister got into the pulpit. 

In 1840, the house was divided into two rooms, with the 
audience room above equipped with more modem seats and 
pulpit. Outside, on the north side of the road, was a row of horse- 



254 History of Ashfield 

sheds from the Smith bam nearly to Captain Holmes' house, 
now Mrs. Wright's, and another row some six rods in length 
back of the meetinghouse. 

The cemetery was a few rods southerly from the house, with 
the solemn looking hearse house painted black in the northeast 
comer. 

In 1856, after the church was divided, it was decided to move 
the building down to the village. Mr. A. W. Howes, whose 
father was one of the moving committee, a few years ago wrote 
an account of the moving for one of our historical meetings, 
which we quote here: 

It was voted at a meeting of the First Parish held in Septem- 
ber, 1856, to move the Meeting house from the hill near the 
Cemetery to the Plain and a committee was appointed for that 
purpose. This committee consisted of six men, viz, David S. 
Howes, Joseph Vincent, Jr., Lyman Eldredge, John C. Ward, 
Zachariah Howes, and George Howes. The money was to be 
raised by subscription. Eight men of the Parish offered to give 
$50 each. These men were David Vincent, Joseph Vincent, 
David S. Howes, Daniel Howes, Lyman Eldredge, John C. 
Ward and Zachariah Howes. The balance was given by many 
in smaller amounts. The committee bought a piece of land for 
a moderate price, of Dr. Charles L. Knowlton, on which the 
Town Hall now stands. 

They at once began to look for a man to take charge of moving 
the building, and several contractors came and went away 
afraid to undertake so large a task. It was thought by some 
that the risk would be lessened by taking down the spire and 
moving it separately, but finally the job of moving the building 
entire was let to a Mr. Tubbs of Springfield for $700, but they 
neglected to make out a written contract. 

The Parish were to furnish 7 or 8 cords of blocking and the 
sticks to move it on. These consisted of four cross sticks 50 feet 
long (the width of the building) and 12 inches thick. These 
sticks were faced on two sides and are still in place. Also two 
sticks faced, 70 feet long by 12 inches thick, for shoes. One set 
of these sticks was bought of Sam' and Lot Bassett, and the 
other set of Jehiel Perkins. Mr. Perkins said that as it was a 
Christly calling he would give them, but afterwards he tried to 
get pay. 

The contraclj with Mr. Tubbs was made about April 1st, but 
as it was a late spring that year the moving could not begin 



The New Meetinghouse 255 

until May 15. As the house was built facing the east it could 
be started straight ahead. It proved to be a much heavier 
building than Mr. Tubbs had supposed, and his apparatus broke 
several times and had to be replaced. At no time could it be 
moved without raising up the back end so that the whole house 
would pitch forward. The house was taken straight across the 
old road south of John Sears' bam and into the road again at 
the turn. As anyone can see, it would take a large amount of 
blocking here to get the house across the hollow, and the moving 
committee had to hustle around for more. Here Mr. Tubbs 
struck and said he would go no further with it unless the com- 
mittee would furnish a team to move the blocking. This, they 
had not agreed to do but they finally bought a pair of oxen, Mr. 
Tubbs agreeing to furnish the driver. The oxen were kept in 
Mr. Moses Cook's pasture which then came to the road and 
included what is now Charles Bassett's mowing lot. In going 
down the hill it was found necessary to hitch on a big boat load 
of stone to keep it from going on too fast. When it had arrived 
at the place where it was to stand, the contractor was going to 
leave it on the blocking pitched down hill, and the committee 
had to give him $80 more to put it on the foundation. 

People now living who saw the moving think the building 
inclined three or four degrees from the perpendicular, and was 
very noticeable. 

Rev. Willard Brigham was the minister at that time and 
did what he could to encourage the work by preaching many 
fervent sermons from texts like this, "And the Lord said unto 
Moses, 'Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward.' " 

During the period of moving the meetings were held in the 
Ranney block in the old town hall. 

The first town meeting before the incorporation of the town, 
as has been noted, was held at the house of Jonathan Sprague, 
who it is believed lived just west of the comer near Mr. Lanfair's 
house. The first meeting after its incorporation by the name of 
Ashfield was held at Joseph Mitchell's tavern on the east side 
of Bellows Hill and they were held there until the meetinghouse 
in what is now the cemetery on the Plain was partially finished 
in January, 1771. There was no fire in the building and it 
must have been a very uncomfortable place, but the meetings 
were held here for nearly fifty years. Occasionally, on the 
coldest days they adjourned to one of the village taverns, where 
they could obtain warmth for the outer and inner man. 



256 History of Ashfield 

Zachariah Field built the house now occupied by Mr. Alvah 
Howes in 1792 and in 1816 Mr. John Williams bought the 
premises and opened a store and tavern there. After the new 
meetinghouse was built on the hill in 1812, the town still con- 
tinued to hold meetings in the old house down by the cemetery 
until, the building becoming dilapidated, they often adjourned 
to the tavern of John Williams, as this was a larger and more 
convenient building than any of the other hotels. When it was 
voted to sell the old meetinghouse in 1819 all the meetings were 
held with Mr. Williams but there were frequent votes taken on 
the question of building a town hall or of meeting in the new 
house on the hill. Mr. Williams, having a store and tavern, 
was naturally desirous of keeping the place of meeting near him, 
and as a new place of meeting was being considerably agitated, 
offered to furnish a room in his building on very liberal terms. 
As the public business of the town was transacted here for over 
forty years, and as some litigation arose as to its occupancy, we 
give a copy of the vote and lease entire dated January, 1820. 

Voted to accept certain proposals of John Williams Jr. for 
furnishing an hall in which to do town business; and to hold the 
town meetings in said hall, which proposals were in the words 
following, that is to say, "Proposals by John Williams Jn^ to 
furnish a hall for the use of the town of Ashfield. Said hall 
shall be situated at the east end of my dwelling house and con- 
nected with the same, shall be forty feet long and thirty-five 
feet wide with a fireplace furnished with wood when necessary, 
and free of all expense to the town ; shall be for the use of mili- 
tary companies or any other public transactions of the town 
which shall require a large room. 

Said hall shall be constructed agreeably to the wish of the 
town. There shall be a stoop erected along the south front of 
my dwelling house so that the inhabitants may go from any part 
of said house to the town hall under cover, said hall shall be kept 
in good repair for the use of the town during the life of the build- 
ing. There shall also be furnished 130 feet of shed room for the 
accommodation of horses attached to the building. 

This hall as built by Mr. Williams was entered through the 
middle door of the building, passing up the stairs and turning 
through a door to the right. At the foot of the stairs to the left 



The New Meetinghouse 257 

was the barroom and in the room adjoining to the west was the 
store. A piazza, as at present, ran through the whole length of 
the building. The hall occupied the whole of the second floor 
of the main building east of the middle door. Its walls were of 
the height only of an ordinary room, with windows on each side 
and none at the ends. A platform with a desk about ten feet 
long was at the east end of the room and a small fireplace which 
sometimes sent forth more smoke than heat was at the west end, 
also another fireplace at the right of the platform. Three rows 
of seats on each side extended the length of the building, the 
second row on a platform about six inches above the main floor, 
and the third row about six inches above that. 

On cloudy days, at full meetings those in the back seats in 
front of the windows were requested to vacate their seats and 
stand at the end of the hall in order that the officers at the desk 
might obtain light to count votes and do the ordinary business. 

The meetings occupied much more time than at present. The 
March meetings were adjourned, sometimes for one week, 
sometimes until April, it requiring two and sometimes three 
meetings to complete the business of the annual meeting. The 
officers were required to be elected by a majority vote, and 
several ballots were liable to be taken for each selectman before 
a choice could be made. The reports of the selectmen and school 
committee were not printed as now, but were read in open town 
meeting and votes taken on their acceptance. There was, of 
coiirse, a good deal of discussion and some of the questions took 
a wide and sometimes an unparliamentary latitude consimiing 
much time. 

For some years the relations between Mr. Williams and the 
town in regard to the hall were pleasant, but from 1830-40 the 
temperance wave which had swept over the country did not fail 
to reach Ashfield. A strong temperance party was formed, the 
Whig and the Democrat parties were lost for a time, and it was 
Temperance and Anti-Temperance. The Temperance party 
gained steadily and in 1839 Mr. Williams put in a claim for pay 
for the use of the town hall. A committee chosen to investigate 
reported that in their opinion Mr. Williams had no legal claim 



258 History of Ashfield 

for pay, which report was accepted. The matter still being 
agitated, other committees were appointed, one of which reported 
in favor of paying for the hall which was also accepted, but soon 
after the vote was rescinded, the town still refusing to vote any 
recompense. In 1842, a vote was passed requesting the select- 
men not to approbate any person to sell intoxicating liquors in 
town. 

In April, 1848, Mr. Williams sued the town for $5,000, alleging 
breach of contract on the town hall lease, claiming that as a 
keeper of a public house he had been promised the custom and 
patronage of the town which had not been given him, also claim- 
ing recompense for taxes paid on building, and so forth. The 
selectmen were chosen to manage the case, but it does not 
appear that anything was recovered, and the records do not 
show that anything was paid to subsequent owners of the 
premises for use of the hall. 

It seems, however, that the town grew dissatisfied with the 
place for their meetings, frequent articles appearing in the 
warrant relative to building a new town house. 

In 1853, a committee was chosen to confer with the trustees of 
the old Academy with regard to using that building in connec- 
tion with a town house, but nothing definite was done about it. 

In March, 1858, the meetinghouse on the hill having been 
moved down to the village, a committee was appointed to 
ascertain the expense of buying the basement of the house for a 
town hall, also to ascertain the expense of building a new town 
hall. This committee was also instructed to find out from Mr. 
H. S. Ranney, who now owned the John Williams property, how 
much he would give if the town would terminate the lease and 
vacate the premises. At an adjourned meeting the committee 
reported that Mr. Ranney declined to give anything, saying 
that he did not consider it his duty to pay the town for doing 
what it was for their interest to do. The committee also re- 
ported that the basement of the meetinghouse could be bought 
for $500, and estimated the cost of fitting it up at $434.30, mak- 
ing a total of $934.30. They estimated the cost of a new hall 
fitted up 62 x 42 at $1,699.80. The vote stood against buying 



The New Meetinghouse 259 

the basement, 142 to 134. The new parish people opposed 
buying the basement of the other parish. Party feeling ran 
high, so much so, that when the* ringing of the bell for week days 
and tolling for deaths and funerals was auctioned off, Mr. 
Josephus Crafts bid six and one-fourth cents for the privilege of 
doing it with the 2nd parish bell. The next year, W. H. Elmer 
paid ten cents for a like privilege with the old bell. 

In 1861 , an article was again placed in the warrant to see if the 
town would buy the basement or build a new hall, but it was 
voted to pass over the article. 

Nothing further appears to have been done until November, 
1870, when the parishes and churches having united, it was 
voted to purchase the old meetinghouse for $1,000. 

It seems that there were some objections raised against this 
meeting on alleged technicalities, for December 3, another 
meeting was called when it was "Voted, that the town purchase 
the land and buildings formerly owned by the first parish, pro- 
vided they will throw in the bell and the four stoves connected 
with the building. " There was then much opposition, the vote 
was doubtful and the house being divided it was declared a vote, 
94 in favor and 63 against. The offer was accepted by the parish 
and the deed of the parish made to the treasurer of the town of 
Ashfield. 

The same year, the building was shingled and other repairs 
made, costing about $300. In 1874, the selectmen's room and 
kitchen were partitioned off with other changes at a cost of 
$340. In 1884, $500 was expended on the upper hall. In 1894, 
the building was thoroughly painted and slated at a cost of over 
$500. In 1897, Hghtning damaged the front of the building to 
the extent of $115 which was paid by the insurance companies. 
To repair this and for other purposes $250 was expended on the 
building. The next year the underpinning was made secure, 
the granite steps placed in front, and so forth, at a cost of about 
$590. The expense of the safety vault for the preservation of 
record books, papers, and so forth, in 1902, was $637. In 1905, 
the addition was made in the rear costing $1,056. In 1907, the 
new floor and seats in the upper hall cost $884, and in 1908, 



260 History of Ashfield 

was spent in carrying out the state inspector's orders, and S66 in 
painting and papering. 

Although considerable money has been spent on the building, 
it would now seem that it has been well laid out. The hall, 
town oflficers' room, the law and document room, the large 
vault, the ladies' kitchen, with the spacious hall above, esteemed 
so highly as an audience room, also by those who "trip the light 
fantastic toe, "all make it a building with which any town should 
be satisfied. Its exterior also, with its unique tower and steeple, 
said to have only one duplicate in the state, is admired by 
visitors. E. C. Gardner, Springfield's esteemed architect and a 
native of Ashfield, says, " I have always felt that the tower and 
steeple of the town hall was one of the finest examples of a very 
interesting class of New England architecture of which, unfortu- 
nately, the existing specimens are becoming fewer and fewer." 

The church in Northboro, Mass., built by Colonel Ames four 
years before he built the church in Ashfield had a similar steeple. 
Colonel Ames evidently borrowed his design from the Sir 
Christopher Wren churches built over one hundred years 
before. That of our town hall is very much like some of the 
towers on St. Paul's Cathedral and of other churches in England 
designed by Wren before 1700. 

A photograph of the Northboro church (now the Unitarian) 
shows that with a slight difference in the pillars around the bell 
deck, the exterior of the building is the same as ours. Rev. Mr. 
Kent, the historian of the Northboro church at its centennial in 
1908, says of its builder: 

Col. Ames or Eames was born in Marlboro, Mass., in 1767; he 
was a carpenter, cabinet maker and contractor. He built a church 
in Marlboro in 1805, in Northboro 1808, a steeple or church in 
Shrewsbury and several churches in the western part of the 
state. 




TOWER AND STEEPLE OF ASHFIELD TOWN HALL 



CHAPTER XVI 



PROVISION FOR THE POOR 



That "The poor ye have always with you, " the frequent town 
votes respecting them testify. They were at first left in care of 
the selectmen by vote, then later a sum of money was annually 
raised for support of the poor. In the time of the Revolutionary 
war, and after the war, in the financial stress, the families of the 
soldiers and of those imprisoned for private debts or for non- 
payment of taxes were aided by the town. Later, unfortunate 
persons were provided for in various ways, — in many instances 
"boarded out." 

In 1815, it was voted to raise $100 for support of the poor. 
In 1818, several children were auctioned off to the lowest bidder, 
to be bound out until 21 years of age. Several years the poor 
were bid off at "public vendue" in open town meeting to the 
lowest bidder. In cases when it was thought they were abused, 
the selectmen were instructed to investigate. 

In 1819, a special committee reported that the care of the poor 
had cost the town $700 and recommended building a poor house 
30 X 14 with a cellar and oven — this probably to supply the 
needy with bread as they might apply for it. It appears that 
such a structure was built. Different cases were disposed of in 
different ways. In 1813, it was "Voted, that the selectmen be 
authorized to put up a log hut on the town land formerly owned 
by Mr. Jenkins for Tim Warren to move on and oversee him and 
see that he gets a living for himself and family. " This log hut 
was built in the northwest part of the town, south of where the 
T. P. Smith house was burned on the lot west of the road just 
down the hill froni the end of the two rows of maples. 

In 1837, the United States having acquired from the sale of 
public lands and from other sources a large surplus fund, and 
not having caught the present fever of immense ironclads, and 
great public improvements, decided to divide it among the 
different towns in the country, if they would accept it on the 



262 History of Ashfield 

condition that if it should be needed by the country again it 
should be paid back. Ashfield's share amounted to $3,578.56 
and it was accepted by the town under the conditions. Under a 
committee this sum was loaned out to individuals on interest, 
with two good signers as security, in sums varying from S200 to 
$500 each. The interest was voted for the use of the common 
schools. 

In 1838, a committee was chosen to confer with other towns 
as to the best method of supporting the poor. In February, 
1839, the committee reported in favor of taking the surplus 
revenue money and buying a farm on which to support the poor 
and that the Lyman Lilly farm of 115 acres with 36 acres ad- 
joining, belonging to Theodore Leonard, be bought for that pur- 
pose. This was the place where Mr. Geo. Chapin now lives. 
The report of the committee was accepted and $1,000 was 
appropriated by the town for the purchase of stock, tools, and 
so forth, and the paupers who were able were moved to the farm. 
There were thirteen inmates the first year and Mr. Alvan Cross 
was the first superintendent. Subsequent superintendents were 
Luther Severance, Lorenzo Wait, Willard Clark, Dwight Collins, 
Orrin Knowlton, Elijah Field, W. F. Guilford, Hart Hillman, 
W. A. Thompson, Frank Ward, George Dennison and Wallace 
Ward. 

Alvan Cross occupied the place seven years and was con- 
sidered a very capable and humane superintendent. 

In 1874, the old town farm was sold and the present farm was 
bought for $2,350, the old one selling for about the same. That 
year the selectmen reported that there were five inmates, and that 
the cost of support was a little above $2 each per week. The 
present superintendent is Mr. Wallace Ward with only one 
pauper inmate. 

Among the dependent children helped by the town was one 
Salmon Miller, born in 1787, who was "boarded out" when a 
child and finally "bound out" to John Mantor until he was 21 
years old. After coming of age it is said he repaid the town the 
$100 they had paid Mr. Mantor for his indenture, and after- 
wards being frugal and industrious he bought what is now the 



Provision for the Poor 263 

Bird farm in South Ashfield, married, and settled upon it. He 
always remembered how the town of Ashfield had cared for him 
when a child and often feelingly alluded to it. He died in 1863 
and his wife in 1877. They left their property by will to the 
town of Ashfield, the income to be used in aiding the poor of the 
town under the direction of the overseers of the poor. This 
sum is called the Miller fund, and is now in the hands of Mr. 
L. F. Gray, trustee, the income subject to orders from the over- 
seers of the poor. It was originally between $5,000 and $6,000, 
but now amounts to about $7,000. Mr. Charles A. Hall in an 
interesting paper on the fund and its donors read before the 
Grange, says: 

If any one in Ashfield begins to be in want, through sickness 
or any other adversity, before his neighbors put their hands very 
deeply into their pockets to help him some one of them is likely 
to ask if he cannot have some help from the Miller fund — and 
this is certainly a wise thing to ask, for a great number of people 
within the last twenty-five years have received most timely and 
valuable help from this fund. Many a poor old woman or needy 
old man, many a struggling widow working to the utmost to 
support her children and finding the effort too great for her, 
many an overworked, discouraged man with sickness in his 
family, have had their troubles lessened and their burdens some- 
what lightened by gifts from this beneficent source. 

The Miller Fund is the gift of Salmon Miller and his wife. 
His will provided that at his wife's death, all his property except 
his lot in the burying ground should be sold and the proceeds of 
such sale be used and applied under the direction of the over- 
seers of the poor for the town of Ashfield, for the comfort, benefit 
and assistance of any persons who are inhabitants of the town 
of Ashfield, and who may, in the judgment of the overseers of 
the poor, be in need of such assistance — trusting to the discre- 
tion of said overseers of the poor to apply said amounts in such 
sums, and at such times, and under such circumstances as will 
be likely to be most productive of present comfort and benefit 
to the recipients, and at the same time produce the most lasting 
benefits intended to be conferred by this bequest. 

The idea that the people to be helped must be ' ' worthy poor ' ' 
comes from the will of Mrs. Miller made many years after Mr. 
Miller's death. The bounty of Salmon Miller falls like the 
gentle rain from heaven alike upon the just and the unjust. He 



264 History of Ashfield 

makes no inquiry as to the reasons of their need and offers no 
reproof for what may have been wrong or foolish in their Hves. 
It is enough for him to know that they are suffering and in want, 
then they are to receive such sums and at such times, and under 
such circumstances as seem Hkely to be most productive of 
present and future comfort and benefit. 

There are many people now living in Ashfield who remember 
Mr. Miller towards the end of his life. He is said to have been a 
man slightly under the medium height, spare and thin, and 
towards the last part of his life quite stooping. He had keen 
eyes, overhung by bushy eyebrows and he habitually kept one 
eye closed. Claiming to be a Quaker, he always wore a broad- 
brimmed hat, he dressed carelessly in butternut colored clothing 
with heavy cowhide shoes, and he walked without haste, putting 
his feet down with great precision and evenness. I cannot learn 
that he ever went to attend Quaker meetings, but when, as 
sometimes happened he went to church at the Universalist 
Church in South Ashfield, he kept his hat on through the ser- 
vices. He observed the seventh day as the Sabbath, and worked 
on Sunday or first day as he always called it. Sometimes on 
Sunday he took his saw and went and worked on the woodpile 
of a poor widow or a sick neighbor. He did not like ministers 
and had a good deal to say about people who were priest ridden. 

One Sunday he was fishing in the Chapel Falls brook. It was 
when the chapel was used for holding services and he got along 
to the chapel with his string of fish just as the services were 
about closing. The preacher was a shouting Methodist and 
when some of the brethren took occasion to reprove Mr. Miller 
for fishing there at such a time he said he would not do it again 
for the preacher made such a noise he scared the fish. 

He was a very industrious man, thrifty and very saving but 
honest and upright and a very good neighbor. Mr. Joshua 
Knowlton says that soon after he was bom his mother (Mrs. 
Knowlton) was very sick with a fever and Mr. Miller's folks 
took him and kept him till he was six months old. 

It is a great pleasure to think of these good people — pleasant, 
good natured, neighborly folks— who had themselves felt the 
pinch of poverty — working early and late, saving and denying 
themselves to lay up money, and then freely sharing their hard 
earned savings with their neighbors who needed help. 

"The threshold of their door 
Was worn by the poor 
Who thither came and freely got 
Kind words and meat." 



Provision for the Poor 265 

Without children of their own, they cared for other people's 
children and, dying, made provision that the good work should 
be carried on with the money which their hard work and self 
denial had slowly accumulated, and which shall be paid out in 
such sums and at such times and under such circumstances as 
seem likely to be most productive of present comfort and benefit 
to the recipient, and at the same time produce the most lasting 
benefit. 

Dr. Shepard speaks of intemperance and the common use of 
liquor, in his sketch. In an old assessor's book giving a kind of 
agrictdtural census for the year 1821, one of the questions 
asked is, "How many barrels of cider can be made from your 
orchard?" as though this were an important product. The 
answers ranged from three to sixty. Dr. Shepard also speaks 
of the large number of distilleries in town where it was so easy 
for the farmers to get their cider made into brandy. The stores 
sold different kinds of spirits very freely. In 1793, Selah Norton, 
whose store was on the comer in the house now occupied by 
Mrs. Rosa Ranney, advertises in the Hampshire Gazette, "all 
sorts of dry goods, also old Jamaica spirits, N. E. Rum, French 
Brandy, &c. Will pay 8 pence a lb. for butter. " 

In an old account book kept at one of the village stores from 
1815 to 1819, rum seems to have been sold to a large share of 
the people of the town in quantities from one pint to three 
gallons, almost as freely as molasses and other commodities. 
Prices were sometimes as low as 123/^c. per pint or $1.00 per 
gallon. It was also evidently sold by the glass over the counter, 
as there are charges for 1 glass of spirits 6c., 1 of grog 5c., 
and sling at from 1234c. to 17c. per mug. On one page is an 
account for July, 1819, with one of the habitues of the village 
who lived near. He is charged with "a half pint of Rum 5c., 
1 Blue Devil 4c., 1 Morning Devil 6c., 1 qt. Rimi 6c., 3^ a Devil 
4c., 34 pint of Rum and 34 lb. Sugar 17c., 34 pint of Rum or Big 
N. Devil 8c., 5 lbs. of Flower 30c., 34 a Devil 4c., 3 gills of 
Bitters 1234c., 2 oz. Tea 16c., 1 Demi Devil 4c., 1 mug lOc, 1 
Double Devil sweetened lOc, &c." There was credit in the 
month for Cash 50c. and three fourpences. 



266 History of Ashfield 

In 1826, a Temperance Society was started in Boston and the 
reform gradually spread over the state. Dr. Shepard evidently 
started the first temperance society here, as the constitution in 
his handwriting with the signatures of those joining was pre- 
served among his papers and has been kindly furnished for us 
by his daughter. We deem it of sufficient importance to copy a 
part of the paper with the signatures. 

CONSTITUTION 

Art. 1. This Society shall be called the "Ashfield Temperance 

Society, " auxiliary to the American Temperance Society. 
Art. 2. Any person subscribing to this constitution shall become 
a member of this Society and continue so until he shall signify 
his desire to withdraw, to the Secretary. 
Art. 3. The members of this Society, believing that the use of 
distilled spirits is, for persons in health, not only unnecessary 
but hurtful ; that it is the cause of forming intemperate habits 
& appetites, and that while it is continued the evils of intem- 
perance can never be prevented; therefore do agree that we 
will abstain from the use of ardent spirits except as medicine 
in case of bodily infirmity, and that we will not allow the use 
of them in our families, nor provide them for the entertain- 
ment of our friends, or for persons in our employment, and 
that in all suitable ways we will discountenance the use of 
them in the community. 
Signatures, 

Thomas Shepard Joseph Fuller 

Chipman Smith Lyman Cross 

Nehemiah Hathaway Heman S. Day 

Asa Sanderson Enos Smith 

Barnabas Howes Jared Bement 

James McFarland Lyman Wood 

Daniel Forbes Joshua Welden 

Elisha Wing Reuben Bement 

Joseph Vincent Ebenezer Forbes 

Thomas White Ezra Williams, 2nd 

Atherton Clark Thaddeus Rude 

Elijah Paine Elias Gray 

The movement gradually spread through the town. There 
was, of course, opposition and in a short time the citizens were 
arrayed against each other in two strong parties, temperance 



Provision for the Poor 267 

and anti-temperance, each having its own candidates for office. 
It was a great struggle for those who all their lives had been 
accustomed to the use of ardent spirits to give it up, but it was 
generally done. 

An old, liberally minded man who died a few years since used 
to say, "I made up my mind that on the whole it was a good 
thing and I told the help, ' By George, boys, there's something 
in this temperance business and we've got to get along without 
the liquor in haying this year, not even for baiting ' and we've 
never had it since. "* 

At the annual meeting in 1842 the town voted "Not to appro- 
bate any person to sell ardent spirits." 



*Roswell Lesure. 



CHAPTER XVII 

ASHFIELD CENTENNIAL, 1865* 

The celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Incorpora- 
tion of Ashfield, occurred on Wednesday, the 21st. For two or 
three months past, preparations had been making for the event 
and for the last two or three weeks the absent sons and daugh- 
ters of Ashfield had been coming from every part of the Union 
and the Canadas, to be present at the home gathering of her 
children. The day was all that could be wished and was ushered 
in by the firing of cannon and the ringing of bells. At the east 
end of the Plain, upon which the village is situated, an arch of 
evergreens and flowers was suspended over the road, upon the 
front side of which was "Sons and Daughters of Ashfield, Wel- 
come Home," and on the reverse side, "Our Country Free; 
Ashfield Centennial; The Greatest Year of the Age, 1865." 
" In God we trust. " At the west end of the Plain another arch 
of evergreens and flowers was also erected over the road upon 
which was the invitation — "Welcome Home Sons and Daugh- 
ters of Ashfield, " and on the reverse side, "June 21, 1765; June 
21, 1865; The year of Jubilee has come; One hundred years old 
to-day. " The star spangled banner floated from a liberty pole 
and also across the street from Nelson Gardner's to A. E. Brun- 
son's house. From early morning, the people from the neighbor- 
ing towns commenced flocking in, until there must have been 
at 10 o'clock, from 3,000 to 4,000 persons present. At 9 o'clock, 
O. P. Payne's six horse team, each horse wearing upon his head 
a beautiful red plume, and the omnibus which they drew, con- 
taining the Shelbume Falls Brass Band, discoursing beautiful 
music and followed by a string of carriages half a mile in 
length, arrived from Shelbume Falls and Buckland. 

John Sprague acted as Marshal of the day, assisted by Chaun- 
cey Bryant, Addison G. Hall, Charles Howes, Edward P. Eld- 
ridge, Alvan Hall, Jr., and Murray Guilford. About 9 o'clock. 



"Report of Greenfield Gazette. 



270 History of Ashfield 

a procession was formed by them, consisting of nine carriages of 
old style and their occupants dressed in ancient costume. In 
one carriage the occupants were busy at the good old occupation 
of dressing and spinning flax, and upon one old nag were seated 
a man, wife and child. A car followed, containing thirty-six young 
ladies dressed in white, wearing red and blue sashes and crowns 
of evergreens, with a white flag in their hands, representing 
every Sta,te of the Union, with a lady in the center of the group 
dressed in red, white and blue, carrying the flag of the Union, 
representing Liberty. Following the car was a wagon with two 
negroes, one manacled and labeled "Liberty, 1765" and the 
other erect and free, labeled "Liberty, 1865." An old revolu- 
tionary hero limped along by their side. After the passage of 
this procession through the street twice, escorted by the band, 
a procession was formed about half past ten and proceeded to a 
beautiful grove on land of Alvin Sanderson's, a few rods north of 
the west end of the Plain, where a speaker's stand had been 
erected facing a side hill, which was soon covered with people. 
At the grove, the audience was called to order by the Marshal 
and an original hymn sung by the choir under the charge of 
L. C. Sanderson. 

Prayer was then offered by Rev. Dr. Thomas Shepard of 
Bristol, R. L, a former minister of Ashfield. Hon. Henry L. 
Dawes was then announced as President of the day and delivered 
the following address : 

MR. DAWES' ADDRESS* 

Brethren and Friends — In discharging the duty that 
devolves upon me to-day, little else will be expected of me than 
the announcement from time to time, of what has been more 
fittingly assigned to others. There can be no need of a single 
word from me to insure your undivided attention to what the 
occasion shall prompt them to say, for it furnishes its own theme, 
and its spirit must quicken the mind of every son and daughter 



*Mr. Dawes was a native of Cummington, taught the Sanderson Acad- 
emy in 1841, in 1844 married one of his pupils — a daughter of Chester 
Sanderson, Esq., who lived where Clayton Eldredge now does. He was 
elected Representative to Congress in 1857, and was U. S. Senator from 
1875 to 1893. 



AsHFiELD Centennial, 1865 271 

of Ashfield, coining up hither from far or near, to participate 
in the celebration of this anniversary. None of us has sprung 
from the ground. Each one of us is bound to this spot by some 
special bond — some golden chain which grows stronger and 
brighter as it is lengthened and worn by the passing years. By 
it each one is drawn back to this beautiful vale to-day — or, 
what is better, has always been kept within the healthful in- 
fluences which here abound. Along its glittering links, as we 
count them backwards, are flashing bright reminiscences and 
tender memories. 

I am charged by the authorities of this town, and by the good 
people who have here kept the hearth-stone warm in winter, and 
the groves and lawns fresh and green in summer, gladdening the 
heart and cheering the eye of every returning wanderer— to 
welcome back to the old family mansion and homestead, all the 
children, young and old, who have come up to rejoice with them 
to-day, in the festivities with which they celebrate this, the one 
hundredth birthday, of the good old town of their nativity. 
In their name I welcome you all back to these green hills, which 
seem to me, to-day, to be bigger than ever, to these babbling 
brooks, singing on and singing ever, and in their ceaseless music, 
mocking the fading race of men — to this beautiful lake, as full 
and overflowing as the bowl of plenty. I welcome you back to 
the hospitable family board, laden with the "fatted calf" and 
fullness of the land. More than all, I welcome you back to the 
homes and hearts of this people, larger than the hills around 
them, fuller than the streams that glide so merrily at their feet. 
Here you will greet the welcome face and shake the cordial hand 
of many an old friend, but you will all the while be missing those 
of others. And as you visit places of interest, you will not forget 
the churchyard. It is larger and fuller than when you left, and 
there will be answered many an inquiry, made as you pass among 
the scenes of this day. You will rejoice with filial pride, in all 
that beautifies and adorns your native town. And although an 
hundred years old, look at her and see how young and beautiful 
she is this morning, coming forth to meet her numerous and 
happy children. And how elegantly she has draped herself for 
her birthday. I think we will all agree with the maid in the 
spelling book that "green becomes her complexion best. " You 
will rejoice too in her fair fame at home and abroad — in the 
goodly name her sons have built up for themselves and her, in 
almost every State in the Union, and have carried to other lands. 
You will exult with those at home in what she has accomplished 
in every good work and enterprise. Remember also that she 



272 History of Ashfield 

has borne the full share of the burdens brought upon the land, 
in the great struggle for the nation's life, now triumphantly 
terminated. Forget not the sacrifices she has offered up for the 
Union. Bear in mind that all her young men are not here to-day. 
Into the garland of joy you place upon her brow to-day, weave 
the cypress in remembrance of those noble young men she has 
offered up upon the altar of her Country, and pass uncovered by 
the soldier's grave. 

Lastly, thank God, that in the midst of war, with its desola- 
tion and carnage, this vale has remained in undisturbed repose, 
and that the peace which now everywhere crowns the arms of 
the Republic, and perches upon the golden folds of her starry 
banner, wherever it floats, has ever rested like angels' wings over 
the home of your fathers and mothers, and brothers and sisters, 
here in this, your native town. 

Rev. Dr. Wm. P. Payne of Holden, a native of Ashfield, then 
delivered an Historical Address, which we hope to be able to 
publish. It was long and able. He said the first permanent 
settlement was made in 1741, by Richard Ellis, a smart, friend- 
less Irish boy. This place was first called Huntstown, in honor 
of Capt. Ephraim Hunt of Weymouth, to whom and company 
some of the land was given by the State for their military ser- 
vices. Its present name — changed at the date of incorporation 
— was probably suggested by the ash trees that thrive naturally 
here. The place curiously rises and falls in population. In 1761, 
there were nineteen families; In 1774 there were only twelve. 
In 1820, it had its largest population, near 1,800; now it is 
estimated at 1,300. Not less than five religious denominations 
have flourished here. At present, two Congregational and one 
Episcopal service are fully maintained. Once everybody went 
to church, and there was no respectability in staying at home. 
Now things have changed. The educational privileges of Ash- 
field have generally been good. Here Mary Lyon, of Mt. 
Holyoke seminary fame, attended school, and just over the 
Ashfield line, in the town of Buckland, she was born. Here, too, 
Alvan Clark, the great telescopic inventor, received his early 
impressions. Twenty-five ministers of the gospel can claim 
Ashfield as a birthplace — more than any other town in Franklin 
county — eight physicians, seven lawyers, thirteen ministers' 



AsHFiELD Centennial, 1865 273 

wives, seven doctors' wives, one lawyer's wife, and one member 
of Congress. Thirty of the citizens have received a college 
education. This place was once noted for its distillation of 
essences, and is still for the manufacture of wooden wares. The 
first machine for planing boards on both sides at once, originated 
here. 

At the close of the address there was music by the band, after 
which Rev. John Alden of Providence, R. I., another native, 
delivered a poem. 

This closed the exercises at the grove and the procession 
formed and under escort of the band, marched to a large tent 
south of the east end of the Plain, where dinner was provided 
for six hundred, and all of the places were occupied. Divine 
■ blessing was invoked by Rev. Francis Williams of Connecticut. 
After the appetite was satisfied, Mr. Dawes, acting as toast- 
master, gave the following: 

The sacred memory of our Fathers. 

Responded to by the Band, with "Yankee Doodle. " 

The town of Ashfield — The only town of the name in the world. 
May she continue to raise ministers, and send messengers of 
peace and call-Porters to all parts of the earth. 

Responded to by Rev. Chas. S. Porter of Boston. His was an 
eloquent, political, religious address of about half an hour, and 
was delivered with manly spirit and grace. His theme was ' ' The 
value of a man, " and he showed by allusions both to America's 
greatest and meanest men, how usefulness depended on moral 
worth, and how what a man will do depends on what he is. He 
said that personal Christianity was the surest guaranty of 
national preservation, and that unless religion and education 
were cherished, the next centennial woiild find us in the black- 
ness of darkness. The war of the races, the Protestant with the 
papal, was predicted, and Lafayette quoted as saying to Wash- 
ington that if ever our government was overthrown it would be 
by the papacy. He complimented Mary Lyon and Alvan Clarke, 
the former the founder of Mount Holyoke Seminary, and the 



274 History of Ashfield 

latter the greatest telescope maker in the world, as local pro- 
ducts, and said it was enough for a town to produce either in a 
century. 

The duties of patriotism paramount to those of party. 

Responded to by Hon. Whiting Griswold of Greenfield. 

The churches of Ashfield — Their flocks hail with pleasure the 
return of their first Shepherd. 

Responded to by Rev. Dr. Shepard of Bristol, the fourth 
pastor of Ashfield. He stated that the greater part of his old 
flock was in the graveyard. His reminiscences of the time he 
was pastor were very interesting. 

A letter was then read from Alvan Clarke, regretting his 
inability to be present. 

The following Hymn by a native of Ashfield, was then sung : 

HYMN 

Jehovah, Lord! Our Father's God, 
Adored be thy grace 

That 'mid these hills and mountains strong 
Gave us our dwelling place. 

'Mid Summer's heat and Winter's cold 
An endless round of toil. 
Fathers and sons have passed their years. 
Blest tillers of the soil. 

Peace reigned, and plenteous harvests waved, 
And learning's page shone bright; 
Religion, too, her solace gave 
In sorrow's troubled night. 

And when war brayed to war, we stood, 
To God and Country true; 
Our native breath is Freedom's air; 
All men should breathe it too. 

Both despot and the slave alike 
These mountain heights disown; 
All must be free and loyal too. 
These templed hills among. 

Witness, ye Heavens! Thou rolling sun! 
To God and Liberty! 
We consecrate these mountain homes, 
This birth-place of the Free. 

May coming centuries forsWear 
Both Slavery and the Sword, 
And all earth's swarming millions be 
The Freemen of the Lord. 



AsHFiELD Centennial, 1865 275 

The oldest inhabitant — Her life is the only bridge left standing 
which spans the entire century. 

Referring to Mrs. Eunice Forbes, who is 102 years, 9 months 
and 6 days of age. Three cheers were given with a will for the 
oldest inhabitant. 

The Ashfield Smiths — A long ancestral line — Preserv^tf on the 
ocean — 'Preserved in history — may the intelligence and moral 
worth of their characters be Preserv^c? as a lesson for this and 
future generations. 

Responded to by Dr. A. P. Phillips of Chautauqua County, 
New York, a descendant of them. 

Our Representative in Congress — Faithful to his constituents, 
alike in State and National councils. 

Hon. Wm. B. Washburn of this town, responded to the above 
in a very happy manner, speaking chiefly upon the events of the 
past few years, and the duties of the hour. 

Our Soldiers — Crowns and honors belong to the gallant de- 
fenders of our country's flag. And for those martyred heroes 
who have gone down through the valley and the shadow of 
death from the pest prisons of the South, their names and memo- 
ries shall be held sacred and enshrined in the hearts of a free and 
grateful people. 

Responded to by a patriotic song, "Tramp, Tramp," from 
the Simpson Brothers, Mrs. John B. Simpson, who is 81 years 
old, being with her whole family, five sons and two daughters, 
present. They had come home from Mississippi, New York, 
Wisconsin and Canada to be present at the celebration and met 
for the second time in thirty-three years. 

The following poem by Mrs. Geo. C. Goodwin, was then read 
by Mr. Goodwin: 

POEM 

One hundred years ago, our hills 

Clad in their June day dress 
Smiled as if conscious of their own 

Exceeding loveliness; 
And brooks and rills leaped from the shade 

To meet the sun's caress. 



276 History of Ashfield 

With sturdy blows the woodman's axe 
The slumbering echoes woke, 

And robins twittering to their mates, 
The dawn's gray stillness broke, 

While to the trees the whispering winds 
Their tender secrets spoke. 

The wild rose and the fragrant fern 
Perfumed the summer air, 

And lent their wealth of bloom to crown 
The blushing maiden's hair, 

Who listened 'neath the sheltering trees 
To her fond lover's prayer. 

Sweet children's voices rippled then 
In careless, gushing mirth. 

And spring-like faces shed their light 
Around the humble hearth; 

While strong men lived and women loved 
As since the fair world's birth. 

To-day the earth is just as fair 

As in that far-off June; 
The summer mornings fly as swift 

To meet the year's bright noon, 
And trees and birds and childish tongues 

Blend in as sweet a tune. 

But where are those who lived and loved 

One hundred years ago. 
Who wrought with patient hands that we 

Might only plenty know? 
In nameless and forgotten graves 

Their bones are lying low. 

Their names are lost, yet their fair deeds 
Live in the hearts of men, 

And on our history's proudest page 
Are writ with diamond pen; 

And still their foot-prints may be seen 
On meadow, hill and glen. 

To break the harsh oppressor's chains. 
Those brave men fought and died; 

Their blood has mingled with our soil 
And stained our water's tide. 

And with our country's bravest sons 
They slumber side by side. 

Our fathers toiled and fought to make 
A home for freemen brave ; 

Our sons have given their precious lives 
That freemen's home to save. 

That o'er a land baptized in blood. 
Our honored flag may wave. 



AsHFiELD Centennial, 1865 277 

They left for us a heritage 

Better than gold or lands; 
The memory of their faith and prayers 

The century's drifting sands 
Have not effaced; their incense still 

Strengthens our hearts and hands. 

Long may our homes a shelter be 

For those who love the right ; 
Long may the white-robed angel, Peace, 

Bathe them in purest light; 
And nevermore may war's foul breath 

Sweep o'er them with its blight. 

All honor to the strong and true. 

Who from their labors rest, 
Whose brows now wear the victor's crowns. 

With those whom Christ has blessed; 
Long may our children keep their faith, 

An honored, rich bequest. 

The Poet of the day. 

Response by Rev. John Alden. 

The Orator of the day — We congratulate ourselves that we have 
been to the Paines to secure a Paines-worthy address for this 
occasion. 

Response by Dr. W. P. Paine. 

The Christian philanthropists in the Army of our Union — Their 
name was legion, yet we gave them one Moor. 

Responded to by Rev. J. F. Moors of Greenfield, in his usual 
happy and ready manner. 

The delegation from, the West — We welcome you here on this 
historic ground, alike sacred and dear to us all ; and may your 
long journey be a type of the fraternal feelings which shall 
always exist between us. 

Response by Sidney Smith of Greenfield, who is always ready 
and appropriate in his remarks. 

Ashfield, her best productions. 

Response by Rev. Francis Williams of Connecticut. 
The memory of the late Hon. Elijah Paine. 
Response by Rev. John C. Paine. 



278 History of Ashfield 

Letters were read from Gov. Andrew, Alvan Clarke, and Hon. 
Francis Gillet, and the following parting hymn, by a native of 
Ashfield, sung: 

PARTING HYMN 

And now we are to sever, 

We'll sing a song of praise; 

We meet again, no, never. 

In this our native place. 

Sweet, sweet has been our meeting. 

Our farewells are not sad; 

This day preserved in Mem'ry 

Shall help to make life glad. 

We'll take again our armor, 
Rush to the thickest fight, 
Stand firm each by the other. 
Heaven's Palms and Crown's in sight. 
And then put off the mortal. 
Conquerors thro' Him who died, 
And meet again 'yond Jordan 
With all Heaven's glorified. 

A tear for those who've fallen, 

And gone before to rest; 

They've fought life's battle bravely. 

Equalled in all the best. 

We, we who have outlived them, 

Will keep their mem'ries bright. 

Prolong their bold endeavor 

To re-enthrone the Right. 

Dissolve this vast assembly. 
Seek each his home again; 
Peace go with every exile, 
God keep all who remain. 
And for the sake of Jesus, 
Whose praise Creation fills, 
Oh! God of Israel bless 
Old Huntstown on the hills. 

There were fireworks in the evening, and everything passed 
off in a very satisfactory manner, with the exception of a little 
confusion at the entrance to the dinner table. 

Among the natives or former residents present, were Rev. 
Dr. Thomas Shepard of Bristol, R. I., Rev. John Alden of 
Providence, R. I., Rev. Dr. W. P. Paine, Rev. John C. Paine, 
Rev. C. vS. Porter, Wells Porter, Esq., of Cleveland, Ohio, At- 
tomey-at-Law, Rev. Francis Williams of Connecticut, Rev. 



AsHFiELD Centennial, 1865 279 

Willard Brigham, Hon. H. L. Dawes, and Levi Cook, Esq., of 
Pittsfield, Chas. Baldwin and Augustus Knowlton of New York, 
Aaron Fuller, Edmund Bement, A. F. Ranney, J. H. Bassett, 
and Dr. H. B. Phillips of Central and Western New York, 
Nathan Loomis, Esq., of West Springfield, Alonzo Lilly and 
George C. Goodwin, Esqs., of Boston, Dr. Elbridge Simpson, 
and Joel T. Simpson, Esq., of Hudson, N. Y., Dr. F. Henry 
Simpson of Poughkeepsie, Frederic Simpson of Wisconsin, and 
Albert Simpson of Columbus, Miss. We also noticed Maj. 
Sylvester Smith of Hadley, General Howland of Conway, Judge 
Grennell of Greenfield, and other aged gentlemen. 

Before the dinner hour several of the 34th boys arrived home 
and were received with cheers. 



We give a few extracts from Rev. Dr. Wm. P. Paine's most 
excellent address. The strictly historical portions are omitted 
as they are given in Dr. Shepard's sketch, and in different parts 
of this book. 

Natives, citizens, and former residents of good old Ashfield, 
we salute you; and more, also, we cordially greet those who, 
like yourself, Mr. President, are half natives, especially if it be 
their better half. 

First of all, let us devoutly and gratefully recognize a benefi- 
cent Providence in the occasion which has brought us together. 
Some of us have been looking forward with lively interest for 
these many years to this day, and now by a merciful and watch- 
ful Providence we are permitted to enjoy the fervent desire of 
our throbbing hearts. But not all are here who once hoped 
to be, and whom we once hoped to meet, for before the century 
came to a close, they fell by the way. But, ye departed ones, 
ye are not forgotten to-day. We miss you, we hallow your 
memories. The departure of some of you excites the tenderest 
emotions of sympathizing and bleeding hearts. Concerning 
you the secret language of many of this multitude now is, "0 if 
the deceased parent, the child, the husband, the wife, the 
brother, the sister, might have mingled with us in the social 
festivities of this day, what a sable cloud now hanging over the 
spirits would have been without form, and what a delightful 
charm would have been added to the occasion !" And ye reverend 
fathers, also, who lived and served in former generations, and 
who had no more expectation of meeting your children here 



280 History of Ashfield 

to-day, than we now have of meeting ours at the expiration 
of another one hundred years — be assured that you are not 
forgotten, but are tenderly, honorably remembered. It is due 
you, that in these festivities you have a very large place in our 
memories, and hearts, and words. We discern your foot- 
steps all about us. Your plastic hands are visible on memo- 
rials of former years, which everywhere now attract special 
attention. You laid good foundations for our pleasant super- 
structures; you sowed precious seed, whose fruits your 
children have garnered up. This day is more hallowed on 
account of the past than of the present — of the dead than of 
the living. 

While those honored sires who with a spirit so noble and 
self-sacrificing, bore the burden and heat of the day, are resting 
in silence, let us, who still are in the midst of the activities of a 
fleeting life, be careful to lay as good foundations, and leave 
as rich an inheritance to our successors, as our honored fathers 
have left for us. 

A centennial celebration is a great occasion — great in memo- 
ries, great in instruction, great in pleasure, and it furnishes a 
store-house of great things to be remembered and rehearsed in 
years to come. Often will the children of this assembly speak, 
when they are old, to children who shall succeed them, of things 
said and done and felt this day. No individual enjoys but one 
such day. If an exception here and there could be found, it is 
so rare that it need not be taken into account. Comparatively 
few indeed are blest with a participation in the festivities of a 
single such memorial occasion. Through a beneficent Provi- 
dence, we are of the happy few; and we who are gathered here 
from our dispersions, are of one heart and one mind. We will 
be to-day at least, a band of loving brothers. If there has ever 
been, by misunderstanding or wrong, a feeling of alienation, it 
must now cease, or for one day at least be suspended. If there 
has ever, perchance, been a discordant string, the harps must 
now be attuned to the sweetest melody, for we are a band of 
brothers, and we will have the pleasure of esteeming and being 
esteemed, of loving and being loved. 

Many of us have come home, and we wish now to tell our 
experience while absent from the place of our nativity and 
childhood. We did not go away because we did not love our 
homes and neighbors, and hills, and streams, and lakes and walks. 
All these were very dear, nevertheless we soon learned that we 
had underprized them. And as we have wandered about, and 
made new observations, and especially as we have grown a little 



AsHFiELD Centennial, 1865 281 

older and harder to be pleased, we have been increasingly im- 
pressed that our good old native town, where we early slept and 
waked, babbled and frisked, and sat around the liberal old- 
fashioned fire-place, (what an institution that! shame on the 
little modem inventions to keep one warm) and heard then 
and there wonderful stories of wonderful things, and in childish 
innocency went to school and to church, this town, we say, is 
the finest on the face of the earth to make one feel free and easy 
and happy, for we have never felt since as before. We say 
without reserve that we have never found another place that 
has begun to do what this did to drive dull care away and paint 
bright visions of the future. In no other place have the skies 
appeared so bright, nor the sun so luminous, nor the moon so 
silvery, nor the stars so vocal, nor the hills so enchanting, nor a 
walk by the rippling brooks so much like a talk with those we love ; 
no other groves have been filled with such music, no other birds 
have been clad with such beautiful plumage, and have sung so 
sweetly, no other friends have been so nearly perfect, and so 
warmly loved and so steadfastly remembered, and no other 
joys have been half so gushing and unmingled. This is the im- 
pression with which we live over the days and scenes of our early 
years in this beloved and never to be forgotten place, and under 
which we now have come home. Whosoever speaks evil of this 
dear spot, may know that he shall meet the withering protest 
of those jealous and ever fresh experiences of our childhood. 
The richest blessings ever rest upon thee, our dear and hallowed 
native town. 

In performing the duty, on this first centennial celebration 
of the town, which I have the honor to have had assigned to me, 
I shall attempt to give something like a semi-historical address. 
Though the occasion permits but little detail of the annals of 
the century, it ought not to pass without as much reference as 
time will consistently furnish, to the condition and deeds of 
those to whose special instrumentality the town is indebted for 
its growth and prosperity. It is particularly pertinent that the 
earliest historical incidents of the place should be honored in 
our review. While there are some important things connected 
with the settlement of the town and the first years of its history, 
which are either entirely unknown or the authenticity of which 
is too vague and doubtful to constitute items of reliable history, 
yet in relation to the earliest years of the place, to its very be- 
ginning, there is much that is novel and pleasing, and instruc- 
tive, over which time has cast no veil, and from which the 
clearest records remove every doubt. Instead of referring, as I 



282 History of Ashfield 

pass along, to sources from which incidents and information 
have been gathered, I will here state that I am indebted chiefly, 
for the items presented, to the Proprietors' records and those 
of the town, and to a valuable manuscript prepared with much 
labor by Rev. Thomas Shepard, D.D., of Bristol, R. I., and 
formerly pastor of the Congregational church in this place. 
Your town clerk, Henry S. Ranney, Esq., by his studious and 
able attention to the past history of the place, has been of 
essential assistance. In this connection, I beg leave to say that 
in my judgment, the time has come when a history of the town 
should be prepared and published. Without further delay, let 
the fragments be gathered up, that nothing be lost. 

Of the old meetinghouse which stood in what is now the ceme- 
tery on the Plain, he says: 

It was used as a place of worship about forty-three years, till 
the year 1814. A few of us have very vivid recollections of the 
old structure. We associate with it very venerable and pecuhar 
reminiscences. In making choice of the location there seemed 
to be a plan to make the structure inspire awe and fear, for it 
had a grave-yard on one side, a dense woods on two sides and the 
front peered out as if to keep a kind of grim watch over the 
transactions of men and especially the guilty. When turbulent 
children were told that if they did not mend their ways they 
would be shut up in the meeting house, it was quite enough. 
No one held out any longer in his perverseness. The idea of 
those days seemed to be that there was something too airy and 
fanciful in paint for the sanctuary of the Lord, so they were 
careful that nothing but nature's hue should adorn the house, 
either within or without. That the Sabbath day might not be 
disturbed by noise, no bell was used to gather together the 
assembly, and that there might be no temptation for those less 
sedate to ask for a bell, care was taken that no place should be 
provided for it to play in. Lest some of somniferous tempera- 
ment might be disposed to adjust themselves for a nap during 
service, (which was usually little short of two hours long) the 
most skillful men in devising uncomfortable pens and seats 
seemed to have been employed in building the house, and to 
have had most admirable success, and as if to teach the wor- 
shippers that the privileges of sanctuary service were worth a 
large amount of self-denial and suffering, not only was all arti- 
ficial heat carefully excluded from the good old house in winter, 
but large crevices were kept open on the north and west sides 



AsHFiELD Centennial, 1865 283 

during the rigor of the sea'feon. That the boys might be taught 
to preserve a suitable degree of patience and quietness during 
the protracted services, when their bodies were half congealed, 
good and faithful tithing men, with stentorian voices and long 
poles, were stationed at convenient distances to preserve order, 
and it was no uncommon occurrence for the pulpit exercises to 
be suspended, while these grave officials walked their beat and 
put a squad of restless boys to rights. That the house might not 
be "daubed with untempered mortar," it was as destitute of 
plastering as of paint, and so it was ceiled from floor to roof, and 
overhead as underfoot, and boards of such dimensions! A boy 
would estimate them from four to six feet wide. Why, it would 
seem that it would require fully half a dozen trees, such as these 
forest trees now produce to make one such board. There are 
some here, I doubt not, who are now calling to mind some per- 
sonal experiences in purloining and appropriating to various 
uses this remarkable lumber, after the house ceased to be 
occupied as a place of worship, if not a little before, for it stood 
several years in a dilapidated state, disappearing by piecemeals, 
as each one had need. The octagonal and elaborately wrought 
sounding board was a marked feature of the house, doubtless 
occupying more of the thoughts of the curious, as to the fasten- 
ings and why it did not fall onto the minister's head, than did 
the sermon or any part of the service. But yet those days were 
not to be despised. They were fully as bright and halcyon as 
any that have succeeded. Every one was constant at church. 
There was no respectability in absenting one's self from meeting, 
or in any way desecrating the Sabbath. If one was seen passing, 
except in going to or from church, it almost certainly indicated 
sickness at home and that a messenger was bound for the doctor. 
In this connection the name and labors of Rev. Alvan San- 
derson should again be honorably introduced. He was an ardent 
friend of the young, and was unwearied in his efforts to give 
them facilities for instruction. While yet actively engaged in 
pastoral services, which he did not suffer to be light, he was 
accustomed to gather the youth together for the purpose of 
teaching them personally, the rudiments of education. In 
some sections of the town he appointed evening schools for this 
purpose. The result was quite manifest in increasing desire 
and enthusiasm to obtain an extended education. When his 
labors ceased, by reason of his consumptive tendency, he put in 
operation, means, using his own funds chiefly, to establish an 
Academy in this place. He purchased a building on the hill 
near where the meeting house then stood, removed it to its 



284 History of Ashfield 

present site, put it into a convenient form, (convenient for those 
days) and opened a grammar and classical school in the spring 
of 1816. Here the youth of the place at a mere nominal expense, 
might receive a good business education, and one preparatory. 
Many residents of this, and other towns, in the early and palmy 
days of the Institution, availed themselves of its privileges, and 
a speedy change in good order, intelligence and intellectual 
aspirations, was marked. Many were prepared for college who 
have served in the various professions, and in business with 
honor and success. The good influence of this enterprise has 
been quite manifest in the history of the town for the last half 
century. The Institution was incorporated in 1821, by the 
name of "Sanderson's Academy." The founder left a fund, 
which was increased by private subscription, and for some years 
the Institution had a glorious career, being through the whole 
year in successful operation. It now has many sons and daugh- 
ters ready to rise up and do it homage. We must not omit to 
mention that this is the place and the Academy where Mary 
Lyon received her first educational impressions and impulses. 
It was here that she first began to feel that there was a possi- 
bility of making her influence felt beyond the precincts of home. 
This fact she often subsequently affirmed. It is an honor of 
which any place should be proud, of giving form and influence 
to such a mind. 

In 1815, a social circulating Library was gathered, and from 
time to time valuable additions were made till it became an 
important auxiliary in diffusing knowledge and culture. Also 
during the years when the Academy flourished, there was in 
existence a highly efficient Lyceum, in which much power and 
eloquence were displayed in debates. While the good effects of 
educational influences have been diffused through this entire 
community some of the more public results may be stated as 
follows : About thirty of the residents of this town have received 
a college education, twenty-five have entered the ministry, 
eight have become physicians, seven lawyers, one has achieved a 
world-wide reputation in mathematical and astronomical science. 
Moreover thirteen have become ministers' wives, seven wives of 
physicians, one the wife of a lawyer, and last but not least, Mr. 
President, one the wife of an honored member of Congress. 

And in respect to the female portion of the above, I will ven- 
ture to advertise for the advantage of whom it may concern. 
In the language of those who traffic in remarkable wares, there 
are a few more of the same sort, which may be had if application 
be soon made. 



AsHFiELD Centennial, 1865 285 

We now come where we, as our fathers, stop as it were, and 
stand still waiting for time to complete another century, that 
we may then be viewed as we now are. The records may tell 
that we were, and what we were. Whether the people will then 
come together from their dispersion by steam or wind or light- 
ning, who can tell? Whether the habitations of man will be 
confined to the earth or whether they will have colonized the 
moon and stars, who will venture confidently to predict? 
Whether one's very labors will be limited to his own town or 
state, or whether men and women will go out for an evening call 
on some friend in New Orleans or London, who dares afhrm? 
Who has the boldness even to conjecture what a century may 
bring forth? But a'mid the uncertainties of that distant day, of 
this we are morally sure, that not one of us shall be here to 
speak or hear, or observe; yet we cannot but feel a thrilling 
interest in what shall succeed our brief life in respect to the 
affairs of this our dear native town ; and especially the influences 
which may follow our words and deeds and example. 

The place of one's nativity has earnest claims on his service 
and good will. The spot of earth that furnishes one a place to 
commence his being has a right to look, as the very least, for a 
tribute of respect and affection. What right have I to fix a 
stigma of reproach on the place where I was born, by immoral 
habits and a sullied reputation? The same right, and no other, 
that one has to dishonor his parentage by an impure life. Who 
would not walk his own native streets and return to the scenes 
of his childhood in the sweet consciousness of a sterling integrity 
of life and heart ? Who would not feel that his course of develop- 
ment and service is such that his native place may well be proud 
to regard him with favor. Be more just to your education and 
your interests, than by a faulty life to bring reproach on the 
mother who bore you or the place that first gave you breath. 
Nor whether residing here or elsewhere, suffer yourself, as the 
manner of some is, to be heard speaking reproachfully or lightly 
of your native place. It is nearly akin, I hold, to treating an 
aged parent with marked disrespect. Because your lot may 
chance to be cast in the midst of a crowd and in marts of busi- 
ness, it is a poor reason for ignoring or lightly esteeming the 
place which might well be the dearest spot on earth to you. 

The occasion which has gathered from wide dispersions this 
vast assembly is quite unique and suggestive. It is the first of 
its kind ever witnessed on this channing spot and by these 
delightful surroundings, and so long must it be before there can 
be another like it, here, that to us it is almost as if it would for- 



286 History of Ashfield 

ever stand alone. It carries us back, it bears us forward. We 
learn reality from the historic past and are exercised by conflict- 
ing conjectures concerning the unrevealed future. It is clearly 
defined knowledge, on the one hand, and seeing as in a glass 
darkly, on the other. This day of commemoration and festivity 
is rapidly passing like all other days, and we are soon to go again 
to our several fields of labor ; some to be speedily removed from 
the arena of conflicts and duties, and others to contend long and 
late in the strife of life. Let us be diligent, for needful labor is 
abundant; let us be earnest, for vast interests are at stake. 
Let us be serious, for conscience as well as revelation bears the 
unmistakable impress of responsibility. The departure of 
former years adjure to a wise and vigorous service, and coming 
generations are even now appealing in silent eloquence. Let us 
rejoice in happy greetings and with profound gratitude on this 
memorable gathering of friends and neighbors long and far 
sundered, and when we again separate never more to meet this 
side of the invisible, may His divine benediction which maketh 
rich, be the abiding inheritance of all far beyond, even to the 
third and fourth generations of those who trace their ancestry 
back to these pleasant hills and valleys. 

The following hymn was written for the celebration by Rev. 
Charles S. Porter, who was a descendant of Rev. Nehemiah 
Porter and was brought up on the farm which Lucius S. Hall 
now owns in Watson. 

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO 

One hundred years ago 

The sun walked in the sky, 
Stars in their far off homes 

Blinked bright and silently, 
And savage beasts and savage men 
Were monarchs sole of hill and glen. 

The hardy pioneer 

Rose mid the sylvan scene, 
The woodman's sturdy stroke 

Rang loud o'er hill and plain; 
From hillside and from mountain nook 
Curled slow to heaven the cabin's smoke. 

Since then the scroll of time 

Hath record of vast change. 
Harvests have graced the fields, 

Flocks, herds, the mountain range. 
And human life hath been a-blaze 
With bridal and with burial days. 



AsHFiELD Centennial, 1865 287 

We stand where others stood, 

What others sowed, we reap, 
Transmit the garnered good. 

Then with them fall asleep. 
God over all does thus fulfill 
His purpose vast, His sovereign will. 

One hundred years to come, 

Fled hour by hour away. 
Who then will here find home 

And celebrate the day? 
That history of joy or woe 
Nor man nor angel can foreknow. 

God of our Fathers hear; 

Command thy grace to rest 
On coming thousands here, 

All blessing and all blest. 
A grand succession here arise, 
Be called and garnered for the skies. 



CHAPTER XVIII 

THE CIVIL WAR, 1861-65 

The inhabitants of Ashfield responded promptly to the 
startling call for troops in April, 1861. The first town meeting 
to act on matters relating to the war was held May 4, at which 
it was "voted to pay all inhabitants of the town who have en- 
listed and who shall hereafter enlist as volunteers in the military 
service of the United States, to the number of fifteen, the sum 
of twenty-six dollars per month while in such service, inclusive 
of what the government shall pay them. Also to pay them 
at the same rate while drilling for such service. " November 29, 
the selectmen were directed to pay State aid to the families of 
soldiers in service. August 2, 1862, voted to pay a bounty of 
$150 to each volunteer who shall enlist for three years' service 
before the 10th of the month, $125 to each who shall enlist 
between the 10th and the 20th, and $100 to each who shall 
enlist between the 20th and 30th to the number of eighteen. 
September 9th, it was voted to pay a bounty of $100 for vol- 
unteers for nine months' service. October 15, the selectmen 
were directed to continue the payment of State aid to families 
of deceased volunteers the same as when the soldiers were 
living. January 17, 1863, the selectmen were directed to pay 
$900 to volunteers who have entered the military service as 
substitutes. April 29, 1864, $4,250 was raised by vote of the 
town to be used in filling up its quota of soldiers. Jime 4, the 
selectmen were directed to enlist twenty men as soon as possible 
to answer for any future call of the president, up to March, 1865. 
March 6, 1865, voted to pay a bounty of $125 each to five 
enlisted veterans. May 10, voted to raise $4,500 to refund to 
individuals money they had subscribed in 1864 for recruiting 
purposes. During the war, every needed service was promptly 
made, and Ashfield was not found wanting. The amount of 
money appropriated and expended by the town on account of 
the war was $22,279. One hundred and twenty-four men were 



290 



History of Ashfield 



furnished for the war, which was a surplus of sixteen over and 
above all demands. 

The following list is prepared in part from the adjutant- 
general's reports, and is designed to include all who were resi- 
dents of this town and went into the army, together with a few 
others who may be properly mentioned in recounting the mili- 
tary services of Ashfield. Mere recruits hired abroad, in Boston 
or elsewhere, are not given. 

10th regiment 



James R. HoAves 
Micajah H. Vincent 
Rufus A. Lilly 
Daniel G. Howes 
Levi S. Elmer 
Murray J. Guilford 
William E. Willis 

Alonzo 



Cyrus B. Cone 
William T. Vincent 
Mason D. Vincent 
Horace V. Taylor 
Leander V. Hill 
Stephen Bates 
Henry Parsons 
H. Warren 



25th regiment 
James Coughlin 

27th regiment 

R. Bement Smith Joel Wing 

Reuben W. Lawrence 



31st regiment 



Reuben W. Taylor 
William L. Luce 
Luther D. Chapin 
Ephraim P. Taylor 
Henry Guilford 
Leroy C. Beals 
Oliver Warren 
Milo F. Warren 



Levi O. Warren 
Harvey E. Bailey 
Wells P. Taylor 
James A. Treat 
Sumner H. Bard well 
William R. Harris 
Willis N. Howes 
ShepardR. Dyer 



34th regiment 



Ralph H. Ranney 
Roswell L. Church 
Alphonzo Church 
Norris E. Chapin 
George Ward 



Henry C. Hallet 
Lafayette Eddy 
Harvey Hadlock 
Erastus Kenney 
Ira N. Hitchcock 



The Civil War 



291 



37th regiment 



Joel Lilly, Jr. 
Caspar Lilly 
Henry L. Luce 



Darius W. Taylor 
Henry J. Green 
J. McCormick 



52nd regiment 



Frederick H. Smith 
Elon S. Williams 
Manley Guilford 
William H. Ford 
Joseph V. Harmon 
Elisha B. Howes 
Lewis El dredge 
George D. Braman 
G. 



John L. Howes 
Sylvester Howes 
Henry F. Kilboum 
Alfred C. Thayer 
Lewis Williams 
Oscar Richardson 
Edward F. Hale 
Ansel K. Bradford 
Benj. Carter 



60th regiment 



Frank R. Willis 
Chester A. Bronson 
William H. Smith 
James S. Wilde 

George 



John H. Pomeroy 
Edwin Phillips 
Ozias Willis 
Joseph H. Smith 
S. Booth 



1st mass, cavalry 
Emory H. Bement Thomas L. Munsell 

12th n. y. cavalry 
John E. Phillips 

served elsewhere 



Albert Lilly 

Charles W. Richardson 



Elias T. Yeamans 
Orange Richardson 



The following Ashfield men died on the field of battle, in rebel 
prisons, or from wounds and sickness: 



Reuben W. Taylor 
Caspar Lilly 
Lewis Eldredge 
Sylvester Howes 
William E. Willis 
Edward F. Hale 



Lafayette F. Eddy 
Milo F. Warren 
Joel Wing 
Elon S. Williams 
Ephraim P. Taylor 
R. Bement Smith 



292 History of Ashfield 

10th MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT 

This regiment was made up in the spring of 1861 by recruits 
from western Massachusetts and Company H from Shelbume 
Falls and vicinity. The history of the regiment says that on 
May 15, Company H marched through Buckland to Ashfield 
where they camped over night, then went on to Conway, and 
were hospitably entertained by the citizens on the way. An- 
drew Sauer, one of the veterans, says they camped on a green 
here in Ashfield and that the people brought in eggs, bread, pies, 
and so on, more than they could dispose of, and that afterwards 
in some of their hungry marches they often wished they could 
have what they left over here. Of the two or three citizens of 
the village who are now alive and remember the affair, one lady 
says they camped in the old academy yard, and that missing her 
little two-year-old girl in the morning, she found her eating 
breakfast with the soldiers. 

This regiment went into camp at Hampden Park, Springfield, 
June 14, were mustered in June 21, and left Boston by steamer 
July 25 for Washington. In the three years of service the regi- 
ment was in fifteen important battles, all in Virginia except 
Gettysburg. At Fair Oaks the regiment suffered severely. Ten 
were killed in Company H and eighteen wounded. In this 
battle and at Malvern Hill, coming soon after, five Ashfield 
boys were wounded, viz., Murray J. Guilford, James R. Howes, 
Daniel G. Howes, Henry Parsons and Micajah H. Vincent. 
The regiment siiifered heavily all through the bloody battles 
of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania, and came home at the 
expiration of service in June, 1864. Some of the Ashfield boys 
who had been discharged for disability occasioned by wounds or 
sickness were transferred to other regiments, — Murray J. Guil- 
ford and Micajah H. Vincent to the 37th, and Rufus A. Lilly 
reenlisted in the 52nd. James R. Howes was from Ashfield, but 
enlisted in the Northampton Company, said to be the first 
from this town to volunteer for the war. Micajah H. Vincent 
was of Ashfield descent and received the bounty from this town 
was taken prisoner twice and spent nearly a year in southern 
prisons. William E. Willis, after being a year in the service, 



The Civil War 293 

died of disease at White House, Virginia. By some oversight 
his name was not put on the Ashfield monument. 

34th regiment 

This regiment left Worcester August 15, 1862, and arrived at 
ArHngton Heights, Virginia, August 18. On the 24th marched 
to Alexandria where the regiment remained doing garrison duty 
until May 1, 1863, when it marched to Upton's Hill. June 2, 
went to Washington, D. C. While there performed guard and 
provost duty, and was noted for perfection in drill, discipline, 
neatness, and splendid condition of men, arms, and accoutre- 
ments. July 9, went to Maryland Heights, and on the 14th 
crossed the Potomac in pontoon boats, and drove the enemy 
from Harper's Ferry, Virginia. October 18, fought and routed 
twice their number of Imboden's rebel mounted infantry, near 
Ripon, capturing many prisoners. In December, formed part 
of a force of 1,500 men, who, under command of Colonel Wells 
of the 34th, advanced up the Shenandoah Valley to Harrison- 
burg a hundred miles to cooperate with General Averill in his 
famous raid on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. The ex- 
pedition returned to Harper's Ferry in 93 hours, without a 
straggler or the loss of a single man, and with over a hundred 
prisoners. In March, 1864, went to Martinsburg, and April 29 
advanced with General Sigel's command up the Shenandoah 
Valley. May 15, were hotly engaged in the battle of New Mar- 
ket. June 5, fought at Piedmont, Virginia, under General 
Hunter, reached Staunton the 6th and fought at Lynchburg the 
18th of June. In the retreat from that place to Kanawha Valley 
the men suffered greatly for want of provisions. Next fought at 
Island Ford near Snickers Gap, July 18; with a portion of 
General Early's army at Winchester, July 24; and at Martins- 
burg, July 25; August 26, at Halltown attacked the enemy's 
skirmish line, drove it from its position and captured many 
prisoners. Were in all the actions under General Sheridan in 
the valley, being hotly engaged at Berryville September 3, 
Winchester September 19, Fishers' Hill September 22. Next 
fought at Stickney's Farm October 13. In this engagement the 



294 History of Ashfield 

regiment suffered terribly, losing in killed and wounded 102 men 
out of 240 men engaged. Here Col. George D. Wells was killed. 
Were engaged at Cedar Creek October 19, where Sheridan had 
his famous ride. December 19, were ordered to the Army of 
the James to join the 24th Army Corps. 

The regiment was in front of Petersburg through the winter, 
took part in the taking of Battery Gregg, and was in at the 
finish when Lee surrendered. The boys came home to Ashfield 
during the centennial exercises in the grove back of the academy, 
June 18, 1865, and were received by the crowd with lusty cheers. 

Mr. Roswell L. Church has written from his diary a very 
interesting account of the doings of this regiment which is 
worthy of being printed in full. We give a few extracts. In 
describing the battle of Winchester, he says : 

A shell from one of these guns struck the knapsack of a man 
near me and sent its contents flying into the air. The brave 
fellow looked up and smilingly remarked to his comrades, "That 
was a close shave, boys, " and as he ceased another shell struck 
him full in the face and exploding, scattered his quivering flesh 
over his comrades lying near. We lay on this line I should 
think for half an hour. I said lay, but we were not idle. We 
loaded and fired as fast as we could, but there wasn't much 
satisfaction in shooting at the stone wall. All this while the 
rebels were carelessly firing towards us and didn't seem to care 
if they did hit somebody. George Ward was making prepara- 
tions to shoot at the stone wall when a grape shot came along, 
struck the gim barrel, split the stock off and bent the barrel into 
a half circle. George laughed and told Capt. Elwell he had no 
further use for it. Henry Bowers of our Co. had just been killed, 
so George took his gun and went on shooting. Next we knew, 
the rest of our brigade had caught up with us and joined us on 
our left, also Dowell's men on our right. Now we shouted 
louder than ever and charged on the stone wall. The rebels 
becoming frightened ran away and left some of their cannon and 
men to fall into our hands. I remember very well how brave I 
felt when I saw those fellows skedaddling. 

Our regiment lost in this battle 104 killed and wounded. 

This from the battle of New Market: 

The enemy advanced steadily until within close range, when 
our battery of artillery (each gun loaded with grape and canister) 



The Civil War 295 

thundered forth its deadly missiles, mowing swaths through the 
rebel ranks and checking for a while their advance. The field 
was becoming sadly strewn with dead and wounded. My 
brother Alphonso was shot down by my side, saying to me when 
he fell, "Ros, I'm gone up!" My reply was, "No, I hope not, " 
but I soon made up my mind that he was mortally wounded, as 
a musket ball had struck him square in the breast. I took off 
his blanket and placed it under his head for a pillow. Just then 
the 34th was ordered to charge bayonet. I picked up my gun 
and rushed forward with the boys at a double quick. We had 
almost reached the enemy's line and they were mowing us down 
like grass with a scythe, when Col. Wells caught the color bearer 
by his shoulders, whirled him around and ordered a retreat. 
Our men (what there was left of us) about faced and charged 
back to the rear. 

When I reached the spot where my brother lay, I called to 
the boys for help to carry him ofiE the field, but in their ardor to 
execute the last order, not one of them heeded my calling. They 
all rushed past me and back some twelve or fifteen rods, halted, 
turned again and faced the enemy. I was now between two 
fires, and in this dangerous position my thoughts ran rapidly. 
My brother was laboring for breath and I thought he was dying ; 
it was not in my power to help him; if I stayed there I would 
either be killed or taken prisoner; if I saved myself I might be 
of some further use to Uncle Sam. I chose the latter and 
started back. Had taken about a dozen steps perhaps when a 
bullet came along and scraped the skin off from the top of my 
right ear. This increased my speed and when I had almost 
reached our line something else struck me in the head that fairly 
made my brains rattle. I was dazed; the atmosphere turned 
black. I could hardly see which way to go, but as I happened 
to be aimed the same way the boys were going (they were in 
full retreat) I staggered along after them. The heavens were 
letting down a deluge of water on us and this brought me out 
of the darkness into light. To make a long story shorter, the 
rain pouring down on my head saved me from fainting. The 
Virginia soil when it is wet is peculiar and when encountered 
it will add, but won't subtract. During this flight it added on 
to our feet as we moved along; so much so that some of the 
boys lost their shoes and had to march in their stockings. At 
last I reached the pike, where I caught a ride with an artillery- 
man on a caisson. Our army fell back to the Shenandoah 
River, crossed over into Mount Jackson, burned the bridge, 
and the rebels gave up the chase. 



296 History of Ashfield 

The 34th went into this battle with 450 men and our loss in 
killed, wounded and prisoners was some over 200, nearly 
half. That night Sigel's command marched back towards 
Cedar Creek, our late camp ground, reaching the place the next 
day (the 16th) having been fifty-five hours almost continuously 
marching or under fire, in a constant and pouring rain. The 
march in that time was 52 miles. During our night march I 
rode with another of our wounded boys in an army wagon. 
This conveyance was loaded almost full of officers' tents. 

Mr. Church was sent to the hospital at Martinsburg where he 
remained a number of days, but he became uneasy and re- 
quested a pass to return to his regiment although he had not 
fully recovered. Later his journal says: 

May 29th we continued our advance, arriving at Rude's 
Hill near our late battle ground where we went into camp and 
while there, sitting on my knapsack, making out a detail of men 
for guard, Ralph Ranney came along and told me that our 
pickets had found my brother Fon alive in an old bam just 
outside their lines. This information was to me like the raising 
of the dead. I arose from my knapsack, dropped my work for 
a comrade to do and started with Ralph for the Col.'s tent. 
We got permission to visit Fon with orders not to stay long as 
he was outside our lines and there was danger of our being 
gobbled. We found my brother with several other of our 
wounded boys lying on the bam floor. There was a scant supply 
of straw between them and their plank bed. Fon was very glad 
to see us. Was cheerful for all he had lain there on his back for 
two weeks. Was so weak that he couldn't turn over without 
help. A Minie bullet had gone through his right lung and 
lodged just under the skin close by his spinal column. A rebel 
soldier had cut it out with a jackknife. His wound hadn't been 
dressed at all. Maggots were crawling around the mouth of it. 
Although in this precarious condition, Fon's tongue ran like a 
wind-mill, how he was going to get well and fight the Johnnies 
some more, etc., etc. After making him as comfortable as 
possible we returned to camp. 

May 30th we established a hospital for our wounded in an 
old schoolhouse in the village of New Market. I helped to move 
my brother there. The boys were furnished with clean clothing, 
medicines and provisions; also several nurses and a surgeon to 
minister to their wants. My brother Fon remained in New 
Market a few weeks until on the road to recovery, then was 



The Civil War 297 

taken to Richmond, lodged in Libby Prison for one day, then 
taken out and put in hospital, where he stayed for 17 days. 
Was examined by a rebel surgeon who pronounced him no good 
for fighting them any more, so he was exchanged and sent into 
the Union lines. 

Of the surrender of Lee after the Army of the James, includ- 
ing this regiment, had by forced marches cut off the retreat of 
the rebels, Mr. Church says: 

The scene that followed at this time beggars description. 
Thousands of men flinging their caps and shouting so loud that 
it seemed as though they were splitting their throats. Many 
of them were laughing through the tears that were rolling in 
big drops down their cheeks while others were dancing around 
swinging their arms and yelling like men just gone crazy. 
There is no use, I can't tell it. I know that I laughed and cried 
and shouted and under the intense excitement I had forgotten 
that I was tired. Word soon passed along our lines that General 
Lee had proposed surrender of his entire army to our forces. 

Of this scene in a letter to his father, Henry S. Ranney, Ralph 
Ranney says; 

An order not to fire passes along the line. What does it mean? 
We soon know. A wild, enthusiastic, prolonged cheer runs 
along the line as the truth is known. Lee and his army have 
surrendered. Off fly the caps. Oh how the boys shout ! Capt. 
Elwell climbs a tree. Can it be true? it is most too good to be 
so. Yes, we pass through a wood and there beyond us lies the 
remnant of Lee's fine Army of Northern Virginia. I tell you it 
was the happiest moment of my life. 

52nd MASSACHUSETTS REGIMENT 

In the summer of 1862, President Lincoln's call for "Three 
hundred thousand more" was issued for three years' men and 
a little later another call for the same number of nine months' 
men. 

A number of the young men of Ashfield consulted quietly 
together and decided to answer the call. In August a war 
meeting was held in the old Academy yard with a large number 
of citizens in attendance. There were speakers from abroad 



298 History of Ashfield 

who made lengthy and strong patriotic speeches, closing with 
an impassioned appeal for volunteers to come forward and 
enlist in their country's cause, but not one of the boys responded 
In the evening, after the excitement was over, they met and 
each one signed a paper pledging himself to enlist. They said 
they did not care to make a scene at the meeting, they preferred 
to do it quietly without a show. The ages ranged from seven- 
■ teen years upwards. They formally enlisted at Shelbume Falls 
the fore part of September in Company E as a part of the 52nd 
Regiment raised mostly in Franklin and Hampshire counties. 
They were mustered in October 2 and went into camp at Green- 
field on Petty's plain, now the Agricultural grounds. They 
were under drill there until November 20, when they were sent 
to New York. They went into camp at a park on Long Island 
until December 4, when they embarked on the steamer Illinois 
destined for the Southwest to become a part of General Banks' 
expedition. 

After an uncomfortable voyage they arrived at Baton Rouge 
December 17. Here and in this vicinity they remained in camp 
until the 13th of March when they made a hurried march 
towards Port Hudson. The object of the march was evidently 
to attract the attention of the rebels while Farragut's fleet was 
going up the river to attempt to pass Port Hudson. The night 
of the 14th they were near enough to Port Hudson to see the 
shells thrown and to see the great flash when the Mississippi 
was blown up. They soon marched back to Baton Rouge near 
which place they remained until the latter part of the month, 
making some raids into the country. 

The last part of the month they went with a large portion of 
Banks' army into western Louisiana without much fighting, 
driving and scattering quite a body of the enemy under General 
Taylor. After several long marches, when at Algiers, they were 
ordered to Port Hudson one hundred miles distant, to which 
place they marched, arriving there May 20. Here they remained 
until after the surrender of the fort, July 9. The last part of the 
siege they were in earthworks within three hundred yards of the 
outer works of the fort, and where in the daytime it was sure 



The Civil War 299 

death to show a head above the breastworks. Elisha B. Howes 
was shot through the arm here. 

A few weeks after the surrender of the fort, there was some 
mutiny among certain of the nine months' regiments, because 
they could not be sent home at once as their time of enhstment 
had expired. July 20, Brigadier General Stone reports this to 
General Banks and adds, "At the same time I have elected the 
52nd Mass. Reg. in which there has been no instance of refusal 
to do duty or of insubordination for immediate shipment 
North. " They accordingly left Port Hudson the 23rd, arriving 
at Cairo the 30th, where eighteen of their number were left in 
the hospital there, being so sick as to be unable to travel by rail. 
As they were short for nurses the Colonel was requested to 
detail several from the regiment to care for those left behind, 
but he hesitated to do this, preferring volunteers who were 
willing to stay, and Colonel Greenleaf testifies in the history of 
the 52nd that George Wait and Truman Bowman now living in 
Ashfield, volunteered to remain behind and care for their sick 
comrades. 

The regiment arrived in Massachusetts, August 3. Judge 
Thompson says, "At its departure the regiment had 939 men 
and returned with 773 ; 85 had died of disease ; 1 1 were killed 
or died of wounds; 16 sick were left at Mound City, and 2 
officers and 34 men were unable to leave New Orleans. The 
52nd lost in about one year's service ten and two-fifths per cent., 
a greater proportionate loss than any other Mass. Regiment." 
Of the Ashfield boys, Lewis Eldredge died of the fever at Baton 
Rouge, January 26; Sylvester Howes died on the voyage 
between Port Hudson and Cairo; Elon Williams was discharged 
for sickness, came home, and died September 3. Edward F. 
Hale was one of the eighteen left at Cairo but was able to come 
home later and died at his father's, October 1 . 

31ST REGIMENT 

Went into camp at Pittsfield, November 20, 1861, where it 
remained until about February 1, when it went to Camp 
Chase at Lowell and on the 20th sailed for Fortress Monroe. 
After a short tarry they sailed for Ship Island, arriving there 



300 History of Ashfield 

March 23. They went up the river to Fort Jackson and St. 
Philip, took part in Bayou Teche, Port Hudson and Red River 
expedition. Early in March, 1865, the regiment was sent by 
water to Pensacola Bay, Florida, then marching across the 
country it took part in the capture of Mobile, April 12. The 
regiment was mustered out September 24, having been in ser- 
vice three years and ten months, and lost 205 officers and men. 
Two Taylors, Reuben W. and Wells P., father and son, also 
Ephraim, a relative, were in this regiment from this town. 
Seven Taylors from Ashfield of this family were in the Revolu- 
tionary war. 

No history of this regiment has yet been published. 

37th regiment 

The 37th went into camp at Pittsfield in August, 1862, and 
September 7th started for Washington which they reached the 
evening of the 10th and went into camp on Arlington Heights 
until October 1, when they were sent to the main army near 
Antietam, Maryland. Here they met with the Massachusetts 
10th and were glad to see those who remained of their Ashfield 
friends. They were then incorporated with the Army of the 
Potomac, were at the battles of Fredricksburg, Chancellors- 
ville and Gettysburg. In August, 1863, they were sent to New 
York City to help guard against the threatened riot. In October 
they were back again with the Army of the Potomac and were 
in the fierce battles through the Wilderness, Spottsylvania and 
Cold Harbor. From June until December they were in the 
Shenandoah Valley cooperating with Sheridan, then were sent 
back to the main army at Petersburg, and helped to finish up 
Lee's army in the spring. Of the Ashfield men, Caspar Lilly 
died of disease April 23, 1863, and his body was sent home for 
burial. His brother Joel was wounded in the assault on Peters- 
burg, April 2, seven days before the surrender of Lee, and Henry 
Luce was wounded the 6th, only three days before the sur- 
render. Joel and Caspar Lilly's grandfather and great grand- 
father were Revolutionary soldiers. Darius W. Taylor was 
another son of Reuben W., mentioned in the 31st regiment. 



The Civil War 301 

The 60th Regiment was composed of men enlisted for only 
one hundred days near the close of the war. They were sent to 
Maryland at first, then to Indianapolis, Ind., where they had 
about 10,000 rebel prisoners under guard. They were in service 
about four months. 



27th Regiment. Of the three Ashfield men belonging to this 
regiment Joel Wing was killed in battle and Bement Smith died 
of sickness contracted in the army. It was a three years' regi- 
ment and was in North Carolina and in the battles before 
Richmond. 



The 1st Massachusetts Cavalry was in some of the most 
important battles of the war, including Antietam, Fredericks- 
burg, Chancellorsville, Gettsyburg and Cold Harbor. 



The 25th Regiment, to which James Coughlin belonged, was 
from the eastern part of the state. It saw service in North 
Carolina, Virginia, and in the battles before Richmond. 



Albert Lilly was in the 8th Ohio and saw severe fighting. Was 
at Gettysburg and faced Pickett's famous charge on Cemetery 
Hill. He was also with Grant through the Wilderness. 



In March, 1866, it was "Voted to raise $650 for the purpose 
of erecting a montiment or memorial, to perpetuate the memory 
of those persons of this town whose lives have been sacrificed 
in the effort to sustain the Government against the Slave- 
holders' Rebellion. Voted that Granville B. Hall and Dr. 
Knowlton constitute a committee to carry this vote into effect, 
by establishing said monument or memorial." This vote was 
duly carried into effect by the committee, and a monument 
was erected in the form of a drinking fountain bearing the 



302 History of Ashfield 

names of the fallen Ashfield soldiers. Soon after its dedication, 
the following lines appeared in Harper's Easy Chair, written by 
Mr. Curtis: 

And these brothers whose incalculable devotion and sacrifice 
yonder memorial on the village green records, have made us all 
better, and have given a sweeter strain to the world's story. 
They have made it easier to do what America was plainly 
designed to effect. The thought of these brave boys, unmindful 
of glory, intent only upon duty, whose names we spell out as we 
stop on the weary way in the summer noon, refreshes our hope 
and faith, and stimulates nobler endeavor as the living water 
from the hills which we sip enlivens and comforts our frames. 



CHAPTER XIX 

MILITIA COMPANIES AND OTHER MATTERS 

In 1800, the town had two companies of enrolled militia, the 
Ashfield "North Company," then recently commanded by 
Capt. Phillip Phillips, and the Ashfield "South Company, " then 
under Capt. Asa Cranson. The two companies of infantry 
were maintained in a good state of discipline and efficiency, in 
which their officers took much pride, and held a high standing 
in popular favor for some forty years, when the legal require- 
ment for their existence was changed. In 1827, a general train- 
ing, or brigade "muster" was held on "the Plain," the soldiers 
of this and neighboring towns having been warned "to meet at 
the house of John Williams, innholder in Ashfield, on Monday 
the tenth day of October, at half past six o'clock in the forenoon, 
for Military duty and inspection, with arms and equipments, as 
the law directs." The regiment was at that time under com- 
mand of Col. Nehemiah Hathaway of Ashfield, and the South 
Company under Capt. Albinas Lilly. (No record of the North 
Company is found.) "Agreeable to a Division, Brigade and 
Regimental order, " a "muster" was held in the northwest part 
of the town, near the tavern of Ezra Williams, October 6, 1831. 
The regiment was then under Col. Abel Williams of Ashfield, 
and the South Company was under Capt. Lemuel Bryant. 

At the time of this muster, the companies maneuvered in the 
"Hawley Mowing, " what is now J. R. Smith's potato lot. On 
the Plain they paraded in what is now Mrs. Alvan Hall's mow lot. 

Different officers were chosen from year to year in the two 
companies, so that besides those named above there were Capt. 
William Bassett, Capt. Justus Smith, Capt. Nathaniel Holmes, 
Capt. Kimball Howes, Capt. Chapin and others. 

Mrs. Miles gives this pleasant picture of the old training days : 

In our town were two companies of militia, the North and 
South. These had their May training, and another in autumn. 
Every able bodied man between eighteen and forty-five was 



304 History of Ashfield 

enrolled as militia. Befoi^e the training, my father's old flint 
lock gun was taken apart, the barrel, lock, bands and bayonet 
scoured to the brightness of silver, then put together and was 
in readiness for the semi-annual training; and when the great 
day arrived he donned his regimentals, and was ready for his 
outing. 

I seem to see him now dressed in his Uniform. A coat of fine 
blue "Broadcloth" trimmed with scarlet cloth of the same kind 
which was of a very different texture from his ordinary dress. 
On his hat was a piece of tin or some other metal japanned and 
lettered "Ashfield South Co., " with some figures which I do not 
remember; then to crown the whole, a stiff feather of white 
tipped with scarlet. Now he was equipped for training, or for 
the Muster in Autumn when the Regiment met. Then came 
some additional maneuvers, sometimes a sham fight, some of 
the Companies being Indians, or British. This was fun for the 
onlooker. O, the " Drum and fife!" Plainfield's Cavalry some- 
times came to our training; their horses were finely trained — 
I can almost see them still as I saw them one bright afternoon 
as we children sat upon the hill of our pasture and enjoyed the 
whole, and especially the shrill notes of the fife which I have 
never forgotten. Yes, that "Russian March," I hear it yet. 
But the fife! Is that a thing of the past? I have not seen or 
heard one for long, long years. Very likely I should not like the 
shrill tones as in early life. I must not omit one or two other 
things necessary for a complete outfit. There were the straps; 
one for the sheath of the bayonet, the other for the cartridge box 
which was from the right shoulder and for the bayonet from 
the left. In the cartridge box were twelve holes for cartridges. 
Now our soldier was ready to march, countermarch and perform 
all evolutions required; and after several hours of this came 
home satisfied and happy, if very tired. 

My father greatly enjoyed these gatherings, as they were 
nearly all the outings of his busy life; indeed he "trained" two 
or three years after the law woiild have released him. 

Of course, the early settlers had to contend with wild beasts 
in addition to their other trials. Mr. Marcus Parker said his 
father used to tell how after they had cleared up a little piece of 
land in Cape Street back of the log house, they had to go up and 
drive the wolves off every day. Some of the Phillipses living 
have heard their grandfather tell how he used to lie awake nights 
and hear the wolves howl on Ridge Hill. In 1787, voted to 



4 



Militia Companies and Other Matters 305 

raise a bounty of four dollars for each wolf killed in town, and 
a little later there is a record of Squire Williams and Roland 
Sears each being paid a bounty for a wolf. 

Bear hunting was quite a pastime. Capt. Phillip Phillips 
killed twenty-nine bears in one season, and this story is verified 
by his descendants. Mr. Barnabas Howes tells how Heber 
Honestman, the negro who lived with Captain Phillips, was out 
on Mill Hill looking for bears in the traps set, when he acci- 
dentally got caught in one himself. Not returning, a search 
was made for him and when found he seemed to be pleased at 
the situation. When asked what pleased him so, he said he had 
been thinking how the old bear would laugh if he should come 
along and find him in the trap. But the poor man was badly 
maimed and never fully recovered from his injuries. Bear 
Swamp on the Bear Swamp road to Watson was said to be a 
favorite resort for bears. Barnabas Howes, Sr., (bom in 1777, 
died in 1853) said that when a boy he went out to this swamp 
with Isaiah Washburn to look at the bear traps there. There 
are many ledges around the edge of the swamp. The "Old 
Bears' Den" in Ceylon Bates' pasture was a rendezvous for 
bears. The last bear killed in Ashfield was in 1831. Mr. Lyman 
Eldredge who lived on the Colonel Emmet farm came up to the 
village one morning and said he saw a bear down "Dug Hill" 
making his way up the hill towards the south. His story was 
hardly believed, but the tracks were investigated and Bruin 
soon had a "large following" of men and dogs. He was finally 
treed west of the farm where Bert Richmond now lives and here 
the poor fellow ended his wanderings. 

Beavers were in the streams and meadows at an early date. 
A favorite camping place of the Indians for the purpose of trap- 
ping beaver was near the brooks north of where William Gray 
now lives. Hence the name " Beaver Meadow Farm. " School 
boys have picked up arrow heads and other Indian relics in this 
section. 

Sixty years ago coon hunting was largely in order when the 
corn was on in the fall and a small party with a good dog could 
usually get half a dozen or more plump, fat fellows in a single 
night. 



306 History of Ashfield 

Then, in the fall there were also one or more "squirrel hunts. " 
Two persons would "choose up sides" for the game with the 
understanding that it should be "honest," or that each side 
"might cheat all it could." At the close of the stated time — 
a given number of days — the parties were to bring in their game, 
have a "count " and the beaten party had to pay for the supper 
at the hotel. Mr. A. W. Crafts likes to tell the story of a squirrel 
hunt in which his brother Josephus — ' ' Ceph ' ' — was one of the 
"captains." They met to "count" just at nightfall at John 
Williams' hotel, now the Ranney block, where the game was to 
be taken, carefully guarded and deposited on each side of the 
old town hall ready for the tally. The contest seemed to be in 
doubt when after dusk teams began to arrive, apparently from 
the outskirts, laden with such bags of game for "Ceph's" side 
that the other party caved at once. "Better count," said 
"Ceph." "No, no, we give it up, let's go down to supper." 
After supper was eaten and the vanquished party had paid 
Uncle John the bill, "Ceph" proposed that they go upstairs 
and look over the game. It was found that the bags last brought 
in contained not only game, but turnips, cabbages, and much 
other material besides the genuine article. The other party had 
to admit that this was a "cheat all you can" with a vengeance. 

One hundred years ago fish were plentiful in the streams. 

Sixty years ago the farmer's boy could dig his bait, cut his 
pole, — although nearly every prudent boy had his seasoned 
pole back of the shed — and in two or three hours could catch 
trout enough for the dinner of a fair-sized family in almost any 
of the streams. Yet there was no posting of brooks, no fish 
commissions, hatcheries, or any of the legal paraphernalia to 
"protect" the streams now almost destitute of the finny tribe. 

The little lake or "Great Pond" by the village was well filled 
with pickerel. There was then no law against taking fish with 
the snare or spear and hundreds of pounds were taken in this 
way in the night besides what were caught with the hook in the 
daytime. The fish would run up near the shore at night and 
three grown-up boys or men, one with some twenty pounds of 
white birch bark over his shoulders, another with an iron " jack " 



Militia Companies and Other Matters 307 

weighing some six or eight pounds on the end of a six-foot pole 
to furnish a torch, and the third party with a brass wire snare 
on the end of a two-foot string attached to a short pole would 
slip the noose over the head of the fish, blinded by the glare, 
and by a sudden jerk bring him to terra firma, when he would be 
secured. Later, instead of birch bark, a ball of rags saturated 
with kerosene was used for a torch. From six to ten pounds of 
pickerel weighing from one quarter of a pound to two pounds 
each was considered a fair haul, and home at two o'clock in the 
morning. On nearly every quiet night through May and June 
one or more such parties could be seen, sometimes in boats. 
In spite of the large quantities taken there seemed to be 
no diminution, and the next year the fish seemed to be as plenti- 
ful as ever. 

Ownership in the "Great Pond" first appeared when Asa 
Sanderson bought the "Pond Lot" in 1808, using the water for 
his tannery works. This was the land around the lower end of 
the pond. In 1848, Sanderson deeded to the Conway Manu- 
facturing Company the right to raise the pond seven feet, 
reserving two feet of water for himself. The company at con- 
siderable expense raised the dike on the south and east which 
occasioned a flowage on the meadows above, and a lawsuit with 
the Bassetts who owned the meadow. The company used their 
privilege for quite a number of years. In 1875, A. D. Flower 
bought the Bassett farm, then owned by Walter Lesure, includ- 
ing all rights to the reservoir, and also in 1879 from L. C. Sander- 
son all his rights to water in the pond. This to secure its use for 
Mr. Flower's mill. At the time of the breaking away of the 
reservoir it was said to cover seventy-five acres. The brook 
that runs past the creamery can easily be made a feeder for the 
"Great Pond." In the forties, the boys of the Steady Lane 
school, one noontime, by a little digging in what is now Robert 
Howes' pasture turned the brook so that the water ran into the 
pond. In a day or two an indignant protest came from Dorus 
Graves for the loss of water from his clothier's shop, and the 
boys had to turn it back again. M. M. Belding now owns much 
of the land adjoining the pond and has been liberal in allowing 
its use by the public. 



308 History of Ashfield 

The "round ball" mentioned by Dr. Hall was similar to that 
now termed "base ball " without being hampered with its science 
and system, its fuss and feathers. Wicket ball was played on 
the cross street in front of the Episcopal church door. Wrest- 
ling was quite popular, "side hold," "back hold" and "at 
arm's length. " At almost every town meeting a ring would be 
formed in front of the old town hall in the afternoon and a 
wrestling match started. When one was thrown, another was 
called in to take his place. Samuel and John Hale, Joshua Hall, 
Chapin Elmer and the Greens were among the principal con- 
testants. At one time it was difificult to get anyone to match 
the young man who had thrown all his competitors, until Dea. 
Josiah Smith, a man well advanced in years and the grand- 
father of Alvah and Addison Howes, stepped into the ring and 
took hold of the victor. For a time it seemed a close contest, 
but youthful muscle proved too much for the old gentleman 
who was finally laid upon his back. The crowd admired his grit 
and cheered him lustily as the staid old deacon brushed the dust 
from his clothes and slowly wended his way into the hall with 
the remark, "This thing couldn't have been done forty years 
ago; guess I ain't quite so limber as I was then. " 

Of course Ashfield had its Fourth of July frolics as now, in 
which the "Old Swivel" played an important part. This was 
a piece of iron about twenty inches in length with a diameter of 
six inches, square at one end for about six inches, circular the 
remainder of the length, with a bore about two inches in diam- 
eter, a proper priming hole and weighed some fifty or seventy-five 
pounds. This, when loaded to the muzzle, thoroughly tamped 
down and "touched off" with a slow match, would "speak" 
with no uncertain sound, sending its echoes to the farthest 
limits of the town. It was brought out on each Fourth of July, 
certain elections and other jollifications. It was the "town 
cannon" which like the Deerfield cannon coveted also by Green- 
field and Conway, was considered the property of the fellows 
who could get hold of and keep it. It was considered a smart 
thing to capture the gun. The Plain held possession of it for a 
while, then in some way it was captured by South Ashfield. It 



Militia Companies and Other Matters 309 

was rescued in this way : It was known that on a certain evening 
the Swivel was to be brought out and fired to celebrate some 
event. A few of the Plain boys were there, one of them with a 
block of wood under his coat about the size and color of the gun, 
with a rope attached to it. When the gun was brought out to be 
fired there was a little tussle over it, the block was dropped and 
several of the Plainers dragged it off with, "come on boys, we've 
got it," hotly pursued by the South Ashfielders while another 
Plainer picked up the Swivel and disappeared in the darkness 
in another direction and with the aid of a team in readiness soon 
had the gun delivered at the village. It was kept securely 
hidden, as the South Ashfield enemy was ever on the alert for 
its capture. 

At one time after being taken out, it was closely pursued by a 
party from South Ashfield and was carried to the house of Mr. 
Moses Cook and hidden under a bed for a season. 

The writer when quite young witnessed an adroit steal of the 
gun on an evening before the Fourth of July. It was being fired 
in the street in front of Mr. Crafts' store with a guard thought 
sufficient to defend the treasure from the southern invaders. 
At that time there were a sturdy lot of boys up in the Steady 
Lane district — Elisha Wing, the Bryants, Clarks and Halls. 
That night they proposed to have a little fun on their own 
account, and a number of them "happened" to be present. 
Just as the gun was ready to be fired, " Bill " Bryant "happened" 
to drive up in front of the store with an open buggy. He was 
warned to get out of the way as it was about to "go off. " The 
slow match was applied, one end ignited, when Chauncey 
Bryant and one of the Clarks darted forward, kicked off the 
match and with almost incredible swiftness, threw the Swivel 
into the buggy, Bill touching the horse with the whip at the 
same instant, the gun "went off " up street before the astonished 
guard could come to their senses, they not expecting any enemy 
except from South Ashfield. The gun was heard from in dif- 
ferent parts of the town through the night, and in the morning 
hours, close to the village. It was then brought back and de- 
livered over to the guard, with a rhild intimation that "they 
were not so smart as they thought they were. " 



310 History of Ashfield 

It was usually kept in hiding for a part of the year but if 
brought out, there was very likely to be a scrimmage, and as it 
was thought that the boys were sometimes careless in its use, 
the matter began to be considered a nuisance by the older 
citizens. At length John J. Braman and Childs Sanderson, in 
some way learning where the gun was hidden, in the darkness 
of night sought out its retreat, took it to the shore of the pond 
next the Buckland road, and with a boat rowed out a short dis- 
tance, sunk the object of their aversion in what was believed 
to be the deepest place in the Great Pond. 



YE OLDE SWIVEL 




REQUIESCAT IN PACE 



CHAPTER XX 

OLD FAMILIES AND EARLY SCHOOL DISTRICTS 

In a few of the old families several of the same name settled 
in town and left posterity here. We give brief sketches of these 
separately; others will be noticed in the district sketches. 

THE ALDENS 

The Aldens from Stafford, Conn., were early interested in 
Huntstown for they bought land here as early as 1743. David 
and Daniel were cousins, and David in 1764 bought of Thomas 
Phillips lot No. 46 where Jerome Kendrick now lives. His 
descendants were on the farm for over seventy years. In 1835, 
Cyrus Alden was taxed for one thousand sheep on that farm. 
Descendants of David live here in the Gray, Field and perhaps 
other families. 

Barnabas, a descendant of Daniel, lived on "Bug Hill'* about 
forty rods west of where the Wings now live, where he raised 
seventeen children. There are many descendants from his 
family in Ashfield and vicinity. Ebenezer Alden was here at an 
early date, settled where Sidney P. Elmer lives, and his son 
Henry built the house. He was the ancestor of Charles Alden 
of Conway. Numerous inquiries concerning the Alden family 
are received from descendants in different parts of the country. 

THE BELDINGS 

Samuel and Ebenezer Belding, thought by Dr. Ellis to be 
cousins, were also here early, as Samuel was elected the first 
town clerk in 1765, and the Congregational church was organ- 
ized at Deacon Ebenezer 's house in 1763. Ebenezer lived where 
Mr. Joshua Hall did, also at or near where Charles Hocum now 
lives. In 1761, Samuel bought of Richard Ellis, lot No. 49, now 
the Lanfair place," also all the Buildings and Edificies standing or 
being on said Lot. " This was the first settled place in town and 
where the first frame house was built. Both of these men had 
large families, Samuel having twelve children. Hence the name 
for the district — " Belding ville. " Four generations lived on the 



312 History of Ashfield 

farm bought of Mr. Ellis, viz., 1st, Samuel; 2nd, John; 3rd, 
Hiram; 4th, David Wilson, Milo M., Hiram H., Alvah N., and 
Frank. The last five constituted the well-known silk firm of 
Belding Brothers. They have large mills in Rockville, Conn., 
Northampton, Mass., Belding, Mich., San Francisco, Cal., and 
Montreal, Canada. Three of the brothers, Wilson, Hiram and 
Frank are dead. Milo M. has been for many years president of 
the successful enterprise but recently resigned in favor of his 
son Milo. Milo M. has a summer residence here and the many 
improvements he has made in and about the village show that 
he still retains a love for the place of his nativity. 

SAMUEL, ELI AND DANIEL ELDREDGE 

Samuel, Eli and Daniel Eldredge, brothers from Yarmouth, 
settled here before 1800, Eli and Samuel dealing in land here as 
early as 1777. Samuel settled west of the road at the south part 
of Cape Street where the summer house called Journey's End 
has lately been erected; Eli, about one hundred rods west of 
where Benjamin Sears lives in Cape Street; and Daniel coming 
later, in 1795 bought lot No. 12, 2nd Division, being the lot on 
which Colonel Emmet lives, and settled there. Samuel was the 
ancestor of Allen Eldredge, Mrs. John Sears and Levi of the 
Hawley Eldredges. Eli was ancestor of the late E. Payson 
Eldredge and George Eldredge of Shelbume Falls, and Daniel 
the grandfather of Lucian and Miss Martha Eldredge. 

THE HALLS 

There were at least four Halls from the Cape who were early 
settlers here. Samuel settled in 1776 at this end of Cape Street 
on the east side of the Goshen highway, about one hundred rods 
south of the Taylor Comers. He was the father of Atherton, 
who moved to Savoy and left a numerous posterity, of Samuel 
who settled in Hawley, of Lot who was the father of Lot, Daniel 
and Joshua, and great-grandfather of Leon. Another of Samuel's 
sons was Jonathan who was the father of Samuel W., for twenty- 
five years a successful and respected merchant in the building 
where Mrs. Rosa Ranney now lives. His son, Henry C, married 



Old Families and Early School Districts 313 

Amanda Ferry, granddaughter of Esquire White. She still 
lives at the White homestead. Her husband died in 1873. 
Their son, William M., bom in New York City in 1857, gradu- 
ated at Yale in 1880 as valedictorian of his class, was for a time 
a member of the faculty, but finally resigned on account of ill 
health. He went to California for a time, then under advice in 
1890 went to Colorado Springs. He became connected with the 
Colorado College and was chosen professor in that institution. 
But the old pulmonary trouble was not eradicated, and in the 
fall of 1894 he came to the old family home in Ashfield where 
he died in December. 

David Hall, half brother to Samuel, and his son Reuben came 
first to Goshen, then to Ashfield just before 1780 and settled 
about a hundred rods west of the Allen Hall place, now owned 
by Mrs. Morgan. Reuben was an officer on board the ship from 
which the tea was thrown overboard in Boston harbor. He was 
the father of Thomas, who left a large posterity in this town. 
Thomas was the father of Lydia, whose "Reminiscences" are 
given in this book, also of Granville B., the father of President 
G. Stanley Hall and Rev. Robert Hall. G. Stanley Hall was 
bom in 1845, graduated from Williams College in 1867, spent 
two years of study in Germany, was professor of psychology in 
Antioch College from 1872 to 1876, was lecturer at Harvard and 
Williams, in 1884 chosen professor in Johns Hopkins University, 
and in 1888 was called to the presidency of Clark University. 
Rev. Robert Hall was an esteemed clergyman in Cambridge 
where he died in 1876. 

Joseph Hall came here in 1797 and bought of Jonathan Taylor 
lot No. 2, 2nd Division, which is a part of the farm which Addi- 
son G. now owns. He had eight children, of whom Joseph and 
Seth still have descendants here. He was the great grandfather 
of Charles A. Hall and grandfather of Joseph Hall, educated at 
Williams College, a teacher at Shelbume Falls Academy and 
Sufheld Literary Institute and principal of the Hartford High 
School for twenty-five years, also principal emeritus until his 
death. This is one of the few farms which has been in the same 
family for over a hundred years. The house on this farm was 
built by Joseph in 1812. 



314 History of Ashfield 

Isaac Hall came to town a little later and settled where Allison 
Howes now lives. He was the father of Mrs. Eli Eldredge and 
Mrs. Allen Eldredge. 

THE HOWESES 

Of this family there were seven different men who settled and 
died in town. Kimball and Zachariah came in 1775 or 1776 and 
settled, Kimball where Samuel Williams and Ceylon Bates now 
live, and Zachariah a hundred rods farther south. Afterwards 
Kimball moved to New Boston where he died on the fann where 
William Howes now lives. He was the grandfather of Barnabas, 
author of two pamphlets of Ashfield history and great grand- 
father of the five children of George Howes now living in town. 
Of Zachariah 's ten children, Joseph and Micajah settled just 
over the line in Hawley. They built a one-room log house near 
the site of J. R. Smith's windmill, where they lived until they 
had ten children, with only a chalk mark on the floor as a divid- 
ing line between the families. Then Joseph moved to West 
Hawley, and Micajah to Briar Hill and bought the place oppo- 
site the town farm, now occupied by Messrs. Clark as a city 
residence. Micajah was the father of Otis, and Micajah of 
Whately, and grandfather of the Spruce Comer boys, Harlan 
P. and his brothers. 

Samuel, with his young son Heman, came about the same time 
and settled just north of the Great Pond on No. 4, 2nd Division. 
The cellar hole where his house stood may be seen on the hill 
about forty rods southwest of the house where Samuel's great- 
great-grandson Charles Richmond now lives. This farm has 
been in continuous possession of the family for a hundred and 
thirty -five years. Samuel's son, Heman, married a daughter of 
Jonathan Lilly and about the same time Eliakim, Jonathan's 
son, married Heman's sister. Heman raised seven sons, all of 
whom lived and died in Ashfield leaving many descendants here. 

James R. Howes of Springfield, for twenty-five years state 
inspector of public buildings, is a grandson of Heman. His son, 
William J., is a successful architect in Hoi yoke. Charles P. of 
St. Paul, Minn., for over thirty years connected with the Belding 
Silk Co., is a great-grandson of Heman. 



Old Families and Early School Districts 315 

Ezekiel and Mark, sons of Sailor Thomas, settled a few years 
later in the northwest part of the town, Mark on the north side 
of the road where Henry A. and his son Abbott now live, and 
Ezekiel on the farm opposite. The pioneers made their journeys 
back and forth from the Cape on foot. The father. Sailor Tom, 
was a sea-going man and lived but a few years after coming here. 
He was buried in the Northwest cemetery in 1793. Ezekiel was 
the great-grandfather of Selectman Allison G. Howes, and Mark 
grandfather of Henry whose son Alfred is a popular school 
superintendent, now of Manchester, Conn. 

Dea. Anthony Howes and his brother, Joshua, distant rela- 
tives of the other Howeses, settled on the hill about a hundred 
rods south of Mr. Farragut's place, on the old road to South 
Ashfield. Anthony was the father of Frederick Howes of Salem, 
a prominent lawyer there. He was the grandfather of Mrs. 
Wait Bement who was mother of Fred Bement of Northampton, 
another Ashfield boy who has been connected for many years 
with the Belding Silk Company. None of the descendants of 
Anthony or Joshua are now in town. 

THE SEARSES 

Roland, Paul, Enos and Jonathan Sears were early settlers at 
Cape Street. The old records say that April 28, 1774, Jonathan 
Coombs of Amherst sold to Roland and Paul Sears of Ashfield 
and Enos Sears of Yarmouth lot No. 48, 3rd Division, for £38 
13s. Roland was in town as early as 1772. He and Paul, 
though only distantly related, bought and worked a tract of land 
together. They built two frame houses, and then cast lots for 
the occupancy. Roland drew for the north house where Mr. 
Cowan now lives, and Paul about thirty rods south. Roland 
had eight children; none of his posterity are now in town. 
Paul had eleven children. He was the great-grandfather of 
Sanford Boice; also of Miss Clara Ranney of this town. He 
died in 1808, aged fifty-eight. Enos was a brother of Paul and 
settled about a hundred rods farther south, where the old house 
built by Enos' son is still standing. Lemuel Sears of Holyoke, 
of the large and well-known firm of Lemuel Sears & Co., was a 



316 History of Ashfield 

great-grandson of Enos, also Lewis Sears, proprietor of the 
Charlemont Hotel. He died in 1822, aged sixty-nine. Jonathan 
Sears settled in 1797 on the farm where his grandson, Benjamin, 
now lives. He was father of Rev. Freeman Sears and of Asarela, 
who settled on the south part of the old farm where Asarela 's 
son, Rev. Oliver Sears, was bom. Town Clerk John M. Sears, 
also Henry G. Sears of Holyoke of the firm of Lemuel Sears & 
Co., are grandsons of Jonathan. He died in 1808, aged 
fifty-seven. 

THE SMITHS 

Most of the Smith families were descendants of the Wethers- 
field, Conn., Smiths. The historian of that town says that over 
twenty Smiths were original landholders there. Of these. Dr. 
Enos Smith of Ashfield was a descendant of Lieut. Samuel Smith 
who moved to Wethersfield in 1634. 

Rev. Henry Smith of that town was the ancestor of Chileab, 
the third settler of this town, who was the ancestor of Houghton 
Smith. There is good evidence that Jonathan Smith, father of 
Chipman and ancestor of Henry M. and M. Elizabeth Smith, 
also of Charles A. Hall, was also a descendant of Rev. Henry 
Smith. 

In 1778, Jonathan of Chatham, Conn., bought for £40 one-half 
of lot No. 41 in Ashfield, afterwards buying and selling other 
lots. Mr. Charles Lilly says that the "Lilliput Lodge" which 
Professor Norton bought for Mr. Lowell was built by one Smith 
and moved up from across the road. Without doubt this was 
Jonathan. With his son Chipman, he probably built the house 
on Peter Hill, as related in H. M. Smith's paper. 

According to Massachusetts genealogies lately published, 
Joseph Smith was the Wethersfield ancestor of Frederick H. 
and Dr. Walter A. Smith, their Ashfield ancestors Elisha and 
Elijah coming to Ashfield with other brothers. The records 
here say Elijah Smith was married in 1777 and in 1801 bought 
lot No. 23, 3rd Division, which is in the south part of the town, 
building a house near where John Biljer's now is. He was the 
father of Henry, grandfather of Arnold, and great-grandfather 



Old Families and Early School Districts 317 

of Dr. Walter A., the successful and well-known physician of 
Springfield. Elisha is frequently mentioned in the Baptist 
Comer church records and probably lived in that part of the 
town or in Buckland. He was grandfather to Dea. F. H. Smith. 
The Smiths later living in the Chapel district, Reuben, Martin, 
Justus and others were probably of this line. All these Wethers- 
field Smiths emigrated by degrees up the river, finally landing in 
Ashfield. By the Registry records, Samuel Smith of Hadley 
bought and sold much land here. 

In 1835 Josiah Smith of Gill, whose ancestors came from the 
east part of the state, bought of Reuben Bement the farm now 
owned by Dr. Murray. Deacon Josiah was the grandfather of 
Alvah W. and Walter Howes. 

The early Smiths had large families, daughters as well as sons, 
and the records show that the girls were in good demand. Very 
many of the Ashfield people have the blood of the Smiths flowing 
through their veins without their knowledge. 

THE TAYLORS 

Three brothers by the name of Taylor settled near each other 
in the northerly part of Cape Street. Jonathan settled about 
half a mile south of where Fred Kelley lives and built a sawmill 
there. He was in town as early as 1769. He was the second 
representative sent from Ashfield. He married for his second 
wife the mother of Mary Lyon. Quite a number of his children 
went west. Jonathan, his son, lived on the old place many years 
and was the father of Mrs. Epaphroditus Williams and Miss 
Sally Taylor, afterwards the wife of Elder Pease. Isaac and 
Jasher came to town about 1771. In one of their prospective 
journeys here they stopped with friends in Hadley over night 
who desired them to buy land there, but the green wooded hills 
to the west were more attractive to. them. Isaac settled on the 
farm just sold by Henry Taylor, and had four sons. Ezekiel and 
Stephen stayed on the farm. Ezekiel was the grandfather of 
Daniel, aged ninety-two, and Henry, aged eighty-four, now 
living here. Isaiah, the third son, settled in the northwest part 
of the town. Jeremiah moved to Hawley, and from his family 



318 History of Ashfield 

have come a large number of ministers. Jasher, the third 
original Taylor settler, moved to Buckland. He was the an- 
cestor of Darius and Wells. Seven of the Taylors were in the 
Revolutionary war, and five were in the Civil war, — all from 
this town. 

The name "Baptist Comer" came very naturally, owing to the 
Baptist church and all its associations being located there. The 
northeast part of the town. Baptist Comer and Bel ding ville, 
was considerably noticed in the Ellis book and a map made of 
the location of the early settlers. Some of the families not 
mentioned there will be noticed here. Jesse Edson came here 
from Bridgewater in 1771 and settled on the old road above 
Sidney P. Elmer's. The large rock near where he built his first 
cabin is still pointed out. He was a surveyor, the father of 
Howard, and great-grandfather of Mrs. Almon and Mrs. Chan- 
dler Bronson and Mrs. Joshua Hall. The Willis family lived a 
short distance above him. Timothy Catlin moved from Deer- 
field and lived where Samuel Hale does. He was a scarred 
Revolutionary war veteran. Was at Bunker Hill and at several 
other important battles and was wounded in the face. Israel 
and Miles Standish lived on the John Hale place where Frank 
Bailey now lives. The farm where Herbert Elmer lives was lot 
No. 28 and was bought by Roger Bronson from Connecticut 
before 1800. Several generations of Bronsons were bom here. 
Samuel Elmer in 1773 bought two fifty-acre lots, Nos. 20 and 21, 
where George B. Church now lives. He was the ancestor of the 
Elmers living in this section. 

Wardville was probably so called after Caleb Ward and his 
son Luther. Caleb lived at the east end of the Walter Lesure 
pasture, on what was once the main road to Buckland. Luther 
lived for many years where Joseph Tatro does. Captain or 
Esquire Phillips, as he was oftener called, lived across the road 
from Levant Gray's in a large two-story wood colored house. 
Capt. William Bassett settled on Captain Phillips' farm about 
1825 and built a brick house there. Jonathan Yeomans built the 
Tatro house about 1796. Capt. Ephraim Jennings lived near 



Old Families and Early School Districts 319 

the poplar trees northwest of the schoolhouse. Marshall Lyon 
lived where Dana Graves does, selling to Dana's grandfather 
Ebenezer about 1830. This family of Graveses came from 
Reading to Charlemont in 1794 and were descendants of Samuel 
who settled in Lynn in 1630. Aaron Lyon, grandfather of Mary 
Lyon, settled in 1765 where Addison Graves lives. The Crit- 
tendens settled on No. 43, 2nd Division, where Freeman Barnes 
lives. Joseph Paine made his pitch where the Higgins boys live. 
He was the ancestor of Postmaster General Paine who was bom 
in the Prouty house on the Plain. 

Of the Harry Eldredge place, one Smead was the first owner 
known. Mr. Ranney hands down this tradition: Mr. Smead 
died and a man named Davis Butler was hired to carry on the 
place. After a time, finding the hired man was likely to marry 
one of the daughters, the widow broke up the match and finally 
married him herself. Dea. Samuel Bement owned the place 
quite a number of years before it was bought by Harry's grand- 
father, Mr. Allen Eldredge. Lebbeus Rood was an early owner 
of the farm owned by Clayton Eldredge. He probably built 
that house, and sold to Chester Sanderson in 1816. Senator 
Dawes married his wife here in 1844. The cellar hole in Clay- 
ton's pasture, about forty rods south of his house, marks the spot 
where John Ward, who tended the grist mill down in the ra- 
vine, lived. 

The first record we find of the village being called the "Plain " 
is in 1815. In a paper read before the Farmer's Club at Pro- 
fessor Norton's house in 1893, Mr. Ranney says of Dr. Bartlett, 
who built the house a hundred years before, "When he came here 
in 1766, the settlers on the site of this village were Samuel and 
Jonathan Lillie, at the place afterwards Seth Wait's tavern, 
now the Episcopal rectory, and Capt. Moses Fuller and his son 
Nathan at the place where Moses Cook's dwelling is." Of the 
people who were here in 1793, he says, "It is probable that the 
following list of families comprises all or nearly all who then 
resided in this village, namely : Dr. Bartlett, Capt. Moses Fuller, 
Capt. John Bennett, Levi Cook, Esq., Zachariah Field, Samuel 
Clary, Seth Wait and Eleazer Smith. Five of the houses then 



320 History of Ashfield 

occupied are yet standing, namely: those now in possession of 
George Wright (Episcopal rectory), Mrs. Rosa Ranney, Prof. 
C. E. Norton, Henry S. Ranney and Mrs. J. C. Prouty." The 
Sanderson house was built by Dr. David Dickenson about 1798, 
was owned by Dr. Enos Smith in 1808 and soon after sold to the 
Sandersons, in which family it remained until the death of Alvan, 
when it was bought by Mr. Belding. The Esquire Paine and 
Esquire White houses were built in 1794. The Sedgwick lot 
was a part of the Bartlett estate, bought by James McFarland, 
sold by him to Charles Williams in 1816, bought by Dr. Enos 
Smith in 1825, and bought by Dr. Charles Knowlton in 1835. 
Dr. Smith also lived for a time in the house now owned by Amos 
Daniels, as did also his son-in-law, Dr. Atherton Clark. The 
Prouty house was moved from near where George Cook lives. 
George Ranney, grandfather to Henry S. Ranney, in 1798 built 
the house where Albert Howes lives. Later Samuel Howes 
owned the place for quite a number of years. Jesse, son of 
George, settled where Arthur Williams lives, selling later to his 
brother Joseph, who was killed in 1838 by the falling of a tree. 
The maple trees that adorn the street were set out about 1824, 
by the young men of the village — worthy forerunners of the 
present Civic Service Club. 

The name "Steady Lane" is said by Mrs. Miles to have been 
given to this district because some of the people met so steadily 
to play cards at Captain Warner's store, which was near the 
schoolhouse. This district comprised a large area. David 
Williams settled on the place now occupied by F. H. Smith on 
land given him by his father. Esquire Williams. The settlement 
of the three farms south has been given in the Howes and Hall 
account. The next place south of Mr. A. G. Hall's was settled 
by Timothy Perkins, Jr., and Eliab, sons of the Timothy Perkins 
who kept the double log house tavern on the Plain. It is said 
that Lorenzo Dow once preached in the bam on this place. 
Elisha Bassett from Yarmouth settled about 1797 where Willis 
Turner lives. His son. Esquire Henry, later bought the place 
now owned by his grandson, Isaac. This place had been settled 
by Joseph Stocking who came here before the Revolution from 



Old Families and Early School Districts 321 

East Middletown, Conn. He had quite a family as did also his 
son, Abram. Of Abram's sons, only George remained in town. 

The schoolhouse stood on the comer below where Allison 
Howes lives. Jacob Kilbum had a tannery across the road 
south from the schoolhouse. Captain Warner's store was nearly 
opposite Allison Howes' house. Jonathan Lillie in 1764 bought 
lot No. 61, 1st Division, with a house upon it. His wife was a 
Foster, her mother a Standish, descendants of Miles Standish 
and all from Stafford, Conn. In 1793, Lewis Foster, a relative, 
bought of Jacob Kilbum the north end of lot No. 60 which is 
directly east of 61 and is where Allison G. Howes, a great-great- 
grandson of Jonathan, now lives. Jonathan was grandfather of 
Alonzo Lilly, a successful business man of Baltimore and Boston, 
who has remembered his native town by generous donations to 
the Academy and Library. Lilliput Lodge, noticed in the Smiths, 
was occupied by Eliakim, son of Jonathan. 

Elisha Wing was a son of Edward of Goshen who probably 
came from Warren. He came to Ashfield a little after 1800 and 
settled where the Wing place now is. He was a carpenter and 
did considerable work towards finishing the meetinghouse after 
the death of Colonel Ames. He was grandfather of the ten 
children of Elisha Wing, Jr. About thirty rods to the west lived 
Barnabas Alden who had seventeen children. Over the hill to 
the left lived Daniel Mighles, ancestor to Mrs. Charles Abbey, 
Henry Howes and Henry Fuller. Across the road was Nathaniel 
Clark, grandfather of Herbert. His father was Silas who had a 
log house west of Peter Hill, where Nathaniel probably was bom. 
A hundred rods further west near the foot of the hill were David 
and Thomas Hall. Coming back from the hill we come to 
Clarence Hall's place which Esquire Williams bought of Joshua 
Whieldon in 1793, with house and bam. In 1800, he built the 
large house now standing. "Uncle Joe Fuller" lived opposite 
on the present Mrs. Guilford place and his father Josiah and his 
grandfather, Aaron, some thirty rods east. Lieut. Zebulon 
Bryant from Bridgewater bought before 1766 part of lot No. 26, 
2nd Division, which is now the Tredick farm. He was grand- 
father of William, Chauncey and Calvin Bryant, and great- 



322 History of Ashfield 

great-grandfather of Dr. Ward C. Bryant of Greenfield. Silas 
Clark came down from the hill and built the house Fred Kelley 
lives in. His son-in-law, Chipman Lilly, lived with him. Jacob 
Kilbum of Chatham, Conn., moved here in 1774, and settled 
near the brook at the foot of the hill below Fred Kelley's. He 
was a tanner and cordwainer and was ancestor of Emory and 
Nelson of Greenfield. Some fifty rods south settled Jonathan 
Taylor, the first Capecodder coming to town. Going back 
towards the old schoolhouse, Jonathan Lilly, Jr., built the 
houses occupied by Dr. Jones and Robert Howes. George 
Stocking had a house and a tannery where the creamery is. 
Walter Shaw's house was moved down from the hill near Thomas 
Hall's and occupied as a hotel by George Barrus. There was a 
hall above where dances and singing schools were held. Flint 
Upton early lived where Mrs. Josiah Smith does and had a 
blacksmith shop opposite, which was changed into the Hatha- 
way house. Chipman and Austin Lilly, shoemakers. Miss 
Amanda Amsden and others lived in the house owned by the 
Smiths. The Wright place was owned by Dr. Enos Smith in 
1812. He also owned the land upon which the meetinghouse 
was built. Later it was occupied by Dea. John Bement, Justus 
Smith, Nathaniel Holmes and others. The gambrel roofed Smith 
house stood on the ministerial lot granted to Rev. Nehemiah 
Porter and was probably built by him. Capt. Justus Smith 
lived there afterwards and about 1850 his son Justus moved the 
addition on the rear of the house across the road changing it 
into what is now John Sears' house. 

Down the new road from the creamery, at Bert Richmond's, 
we come into the South Ashfield school district, where lived 
Anson Goodwin who probably built the Bert Richmond house. 
Uriah Goodwin, his ancestor, came here from West Hartford in 
1773. He had twelve children and his son, Eldad F., had eleven. 
Of these large families, only Anson remained in town. Opposite 
Mr. Goodwin once lived "Jo" Manning, the zealous Millerite 
elsewhere spoken of. A short distance below settled Benjamin 
Rogers, ancestor of Charles of Greenfield and others. Down 
the stream at the turn of the Briar Hill road was Dorus Graves, 



Old Families and Early School Districts 323 

busy at his clothier's shop. He and Sumner were from the Hat- 
field Graveses, probably not related to the Ebenezer family. 
On the Luther Guilford farm settled Samuel Allen from Deer- 
field. His father was killed by the Indians at the Bars fight in 
1746. Young Samuel, then eight years old, was taken captive 
and carried to Canada where he remained about a year and a 
half when he was ransomed and brought back to Deerfield. He 
came here with other Aliens before 1770 and bought this place. 
He was a lieutenant in the Revolution and captain of the com- 
pany that marched from Ashfield to aid the Shays' rebellion. 
Before this his name often appears on the records as holding 
public office, but he was evidently disfranchised by refusing to 
accept of pardon as his name does not appear on the list of those 
who afterwards took the oath of allegiance. He probably re- 
tained some of his youthful grit for Mr. Sheldon relates that 
when captured, he kicked, scratched and bit so lively he excited 
the admiration of his Indian captor so much that instead of 
tomahawking him he resolved to carry him away. It is said he 
had pleasant recollections of his youthful captivity. He was 
remembered by the old residents here as "Barefoot Allen." 
He moved to Grand Isle, Vermont. One of his descendants 
was a representative to Congress from that state. He sold in 
1794 to Samuel Guilford. Mr. Guilford had previously moved 
here from Spencer, married a daughter of Capt. Elisha Cranston 
of Spruce Comer and settled on the hill above the Bird place. 
He was the ancestor of the Guilfords now in town. The next 
place below has been mentioned as the old log hotel stand; the 
farm occupied later by the Waits and Nathan Sears. The 
house in which Charles Lilly lives was built by Bela Gardner, 
father of E. C. of Springfield; later occupied by John Ward, the 
miller. Heman Day moved from the Plain to the place now 
occupied by his son, Charles. He was a ready debater at the 
Lyceums, a strong democrat and a man of very positive con- 
victions. Samuel Barber came over with his father from Eng- 
land and started a tannery just back of his house now occupied 
by Mrs. C. F. Howes. He was town clerk and representative 
to the legislature. He had a large family of whom only Mrs. 



324 History of Ashfield 

Henry Church and George M. of California are now living. A 
short distance up the stream on the other road, Eli Sprague 
had a small tannery. Opposite each other at the top of the hill 
east, lived David Howes and David Eldridge; later Esquire 
Bement, mentioned among the magistrates. On the Darwin 
Pease place lived one Bloodworth, also Peter Sears. Below, 
was Jasper Bement, afterwards the enterprising merchant on 
the Plain already mentioned. His son, Samuel, was a popular 
principal of a grammar school in Lowell for many years. Near 
the Blaksley place, perhaps at the Butler place, lived Horatio 
Bartlett, the mill owner; then Abner Kelley, Jr., for many years. 
Roswell Ranney lived where Sanford H. Boice does, selling the 
farm to Sanford's grandfather in 1832. Mr. Boice was from 
Blandford, married a daughter of Paul Sears, lived for a time 
in the northeast part of Goshen, then moved to Savoy, came to 
Ashfield in 1819 and bought his wife's father's farm where he 
remained until he purchased the Ranney place. They had 
twelve children, all of whom are dead except Sanford of Amherst. 
Russell Bement was an early owner of the Henry Pease place. 
The place below was settled by Archibald Burnet. The exodus 
of his family to western New York has been mentioned. Up 
stream near Guilford's mill was Elijah Field, the clothier. He 
was a much prized Sunday School teacher at the Congregational 
church. His son, Solomon, was a teacher and is now with his 
sons a prosperous farmer and seedsman in Iowa. Part way up 
the hill towards George Chapin's in the pasture to the left is 
the spot where Dea. Nathaniel Sherwin from Enfield, Conn., 
settled. His son, William, went to Buckland. Wilham's son, 
William F., was a noted singing teacher in this section, after- 
wards musical director in the Chautauqua Assembly, and for a 
time professor in the New England Conservatory of Music. 
Many h3mins from his pen are found in our sacred hymn books. 
The George Chapin place, as told on another page, was the town 
farm from 1839 until 1874 when it was sold to Luther Chapin, 
father of George and Arthur. His grandfather, Nathan, was 
one of the nine men sent up in 1757 to guard the fort around 
Chileab Smith's house. Nathan is the guard mentioned who 



Old Families and Early School Districts 325 

fell in love with Chileab's daughter, Mary, and married her in 
1759. These Chapins are descendants of Samuel, whose statue 
stands on the Library grounds in Springfield. The Pease place 
north was lot No. 1, 2nd Division, and was bought by John 
Pease who moved from Enfield, Conn., to Conway in 1800, and 
to this place in 1811. He had eleven children. He was a 
common school and sacred music teacher. The brick house 
occupied by Wallace Whitney was built in 1821 by 
Samuel Ranney, son of George, who built the Albert Howes 
house. Alvan Hall, a successful farmer, occupied the place 
for many years. Going up the Briar Hill road from the 
Dorus Graves place, on the comer, opposite the George Ward 
place, lived Joseph Lillie, the man who brought back the 
town guns in Shays' time. Lewis Warren lived there later. 
The house occupied by Mrs. Underbill was probably built 
about 1790, by Solomon Fuller. He sold in 1808 to Joseph 
Barber. Joseph first settled in Savoy but soon got out of the 
town, saying he never knew a good cornfield fenced with spruce 
poles. His sons, John and Henry, built saw and wood working 
mills on the stream below the house. They had quite a genius 
for invention. Henry discovered the modem process for making 
lead pipe, but another party finding it out secured a patent 
before the discoverer. He also invented a useful device for a 
bit brace from which he gained some benefit. One of Joseph's 
daughters was the mother of George B. Church. About half a 
mile to the south up the hill on what is now the town farm lived 
Ebenezer Cranston, later his son-in-law, Elias Rogers. Oppo- 
site, settled Micajah Howes mentioned in another page as 
moving here from the "Edge of Hawley. " Still farther up the 
old road, nearly at the junction with the new, on the left was the 
home of Elder Josiah Loomis. He married Susannah, daughter 
of Joshua Howes, who lived across the valley on the hill lot now 
owned by Mrs. Curtis on the old road then leading to the Plain. 
They had a large and somewhat noted family. Their son, 
Nathan, married Waite Barber, daughter of their neighbor, 
Joseph. Several of Nathan's sons were located in Washington, 
working in astronomical and mathematical lines. One of them 



326 History of Ashfield 

in the sixties, catching the spirit of prophecy, asked Congress 
for $50,000 for experiments in wireless telegraphy. Eben was 
employed in the Nautical Almanac office there for twenty-five 
years. He was the father of Mabel Loomis Todd, wife of Pro- 
fessor Todd of Amherst College. W. S. Loomis, late President 
of the Holyoke Street Railway Company, is of this family. 
Susan Look Avery, a granddaughter of Elder Loomis, was the 
wife of B. F. Avery of Wyoming, N. Y., who with his sons were 
large manufacturers of agricultural implements with Louisville, 
Kentucky, as headquarters. Some fifty rods to the south settled 
Stephen Cross from Ellington, Conn. His first child was bom 
here in 1779. Stephen was the grandfather of Alvan, and of 
Levant and William Gray and great-grandfather of Henry 
Cross. It is not known that he was related to the Crosses in 
the north part of the town. The Grays bought land here in the 
eighties and nineties. They came from Pelham and were 
of the "Worcester Grays," many branches of that name being 
in this country. It is said they looked over Amherst before 
settling, but decided on Pelham as there were more stones there 
to build chimneys with. In 1793, Robert, Jonathan and James 
were on the tax list. Jonathan was the grandfather of Levant 
and William and built the old house now standing south of the 
little Briar Hill schoolhouse. The valuation list for 1821 says 
he had four acres of upland mowing from which he cut four 
tons of hay, ten acres of fresh mowing cutting ten tons, twenty- 
eight acres of pasturage and a hundred and eighty-seven acres 
unimproved land. Elias Gray built the stone house at the foot 
of the hill about 1830. Some fifty rods farther on settled Joseph 
Blake who came from Hingham to Goshen in 1766 and from 
there to Ashfield in 1811. He had seven children, of whom only 
Silas stayed in Ashfield. Silas had, with other children, Dorus 
and Hosea, who built the two large houses now standing near 
each other. They were enterprising and successful farmers. 
In 1821, Silas is credited with owning more land than any man 
in town except Esquire Williams. Beyond the Blakes was 
Lieut. Jeremiah Mantor from Tisbury, then Nathan Wood, 
now the Ludwig summer home. Down the hill to the east, 



Old Families and Early School Districts 327 

past the Smith house, James Case, also from Tisbury, built 
the house now Miss Collis' summer residence. Nearly 
north from here ran a road to the C. F. Howes place 
on which lived Parsons Mansfield. Francis Ranney in 
1786 settled on the Howes place, now the summer home 
of Professor Cockaday. Giles Ranney settled near where 
Herbert Church lives and was grandfather of Darwin, also of 
Mrs. Anna Bradford of Buckland. Northerly past the Francis 
Ranney house was Stoddard Nims and Simon Collins; still 
further down the hill on the old road was the Chapel schoolhouse 
at the Falls. Some one hundred rods to the east down the hill 
lived Alvan Clarke, the father of Alvan the famous telescope 
maker. He moved to Ashfield in 1794 and married Mary 
Bassett, daughter of Elisha, and sister of Esquire Bassett. He 
had ten children of whom Alvan, Jr., was the fifth, being bom 
March 8, 1804. On the valuation books for 1817, Joshua 
Knowlton and Alvan Clarke were taxed for a grist mill they 
owned together. By the will of Alvan, Sr., Alvan was left a 
patrimony of fifty dollars, a small simi to begin life with. Those 
who knew him as a youngster spoke of him as a dreamy, absent- 
minded boy, not showing any particular talent when at school. 
However, he showed much interest in the mill. He says it was 
washed away when he was eight and he was so wonderstruck 
by the achievements of Captain Gates, the chief in the work of re- 
building , that he concluded he would be a millwright . When about 
seventeen, he went into his brother's wagon shop and worked a 
year. He had developed to a certain extent a taste for drawing 
and engraving and he says that he returned to the paternal 
mansion and put himself at work in good earnest to learn alone 
more of the art. In 1825, he secured work as an engraver for 
the Merrimac Print Works at eight dollars per week. In 1826, 
he married a daughter of Asher Pease, a neighbor living about 
half a mile just over the line in Conway. They settled down to 
housekeeping in Lowell, living there and in other places, gaining 
a livelihood by his trade and as a portrait painter. About 1844, 
he and his son, George Bassett Clark, then only seventeen 
years old, became interested in telescopes. After much investi- 



328 History of Ashfield 

gation they discovered the errors in the old telescopes and 
sought to correct them. A learned professor told Mr. Clark 
if he wanted to make telescopes he must go where they made 
them and learn how. But they persevered in their own way 
and finally produced a medium sized telescope of such power 
that new stars were discovered by it and their reputation was 
established in the scientific world. He and his sons were pioneers 
in first-class telescope making of a large size. Among the larger 
telescopes made by him and his sons, are the 20-inch for the 
National Observatory at Washington, the 30-inch for the Rus- 
sian Observatory at St. Petersburg, the 36-inch for the Lick 
Observatory in California, and the 40-inch for the Yerkes Ob- 
servatory of Chicago. The Lick telescope is claimed to be the 
best in the world. Alvan Clark died in 1887, and his son, 
Alvan G., in 1897. 

Joshua Knowlton moved here from Belchertown and lived 
about half a mile north of the Chapel Comer. He was related to 
Dr. Knowlton, was the father of Friend, Madison and others. 
Friend remained on the old place. His sons were Nathan and 
Joshua. Nathan was on the board of selectmen for many years. 

Apple Valley in the northwest part of the town was so named 
by Jonathan Johnson, for a long time connected with the New 
England Homestead. Zephaniah Richmond came from Taunton 
about 1790 and settled in a log house on the sand bank opposite 
where Frank Willis lives. He was ancestor of the Richmonds 
living in this section. Sandpaper was made on the place where 
Mr. Willis lives. Ziba Leonard bought the place above it of 
John Porter in 1808 and built a house on the knoll west of 
where Mrs. E. P. Williams lives. He sold the farm to Edwin 
Williams, Sr. Later the house was burned and Mr. Williams 
built the house nearer the road which was burned in 1910 and a 
new house was erected in its stead. The Clinton Wing farm had 
many owners, namely, Jonathan Alden, Isaiah Taylor, John 
Porter, Geo. Graves and others. Israel Williams had his house, 
cider mill, and still near where the schoolhouse is. The farmers 
from Buckland used to draw their apples up here and sell them 
for four cents per bushel. Israel Williams sold the place to 



Old Families and Early School Districts 329 

Hiram Richmond, who built the house in which Herbert Clark 
I lives. Mr. Williams then bought the place where W. S. 
Williams now lives. 

The name "Northwest " came very naturally, as it was in that 
part of the town. It was sometimes called "Nobscusset" as 
most of the settlers came from a part of Yarmouth bearing that 
name. Ebenezer and Daniel Forbush lived at the foot of the 
hill below John W. Howes. Daniel has already been noted as 
the teacher and great fruit lover. He and his son, Frederick, 
afterwards moved to the W. S. Williams farm, then to the H. 
Clark farm, and finally to the Buckland farm where the grand- 
son, Warren Forbes, now resides. In 1794, Joseph and David 
Vincent from Yarmouth came here, Joseph building the house 
where Charles Ta.tro lives and David settling half a mile west of 
Abbott Howes. Barnabas Howes, son of Kimball, lived near 
where John W. Howes does. The location of Mark and Ezekiel 
Howes has already been given. Daniel Sears, son of Enos, lo- 
cated about a half mile northwest of where David Vincent 
settled, on the farm lately bought of the Polanders by J. W. 
Howes and his brother. Daniel married the daughter of Moses 
Rawson, his next neighbor on the north. Beyond the Raw- 
sons, in the edge of Buckland, lived the Roods and Nathan 
Howes, father of Mrs. Moses Cook. Quite a few from these 
families moved to Oak Creek, .near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 
where their descendants may be found. Returning to the 
comer, just over the hill to the west, in the pasture on the left 
now owned by Robert Howes, Forris Cranson had a log 
house. He was ancestor of the Cransons of Buckland. Some 
flat flagging stone was once quarried here. The Ezra Williams 
hotel, burned while occupied by the father of J. R. Smith, has 
been described. The long rows of maple trees by the roadside 
were set out by Mr. Williams. He spaced off the distance for 
just one thousand trees, but by a miscalculation it fell a few 
short of that number. About half a mile south on the right at the 
foot of the hill on the school lot was the place where Tim Warren 
was planted and asked to get a living for himself. Forty rods to 
the south on the left Barnabas A. Howes built a house about 
1830. This was burned in 1877 while occupied by Joseph Keach. 



330 History of Ashfield 

There are two theories as to the origin of the name for the 
"New Boston" district. One is that it came from a locality on 
the Cape by that name; the other, that a young lady from the 
eastern part of the state, a relative of the Fosters, while teaching 
one of the earliest schools there, kept in Capt. Kimball Howes' 
house, said that the place was so much like Boston that she was 
going to call it New Boston. When the post office was estab- 
lished there the change was made to Watson because there was 
another New Boston post ojffice in this state. In the old records 
this part of the town and Spruce Comer was called West brook. 
Joseph Porter, son of Rev. Nehemiah, early owned consider- 
able land in the west part of this district. His son, Nathan, 
lived where Lucius Hall now does. One of his sons, William 
Pitt, graduated from Williams College and was a successful 
lawyer in North Adams. He was law partner of Henry L. 
Dawes, afterwards United States Senator. Mr. Porter married 
a daughter of Dea. Alvan Perry of this town. Sumner Church 
and Thaddeus Rood were occupants of the two houses south. 
Seth Church built the house now occupied by Archie Jenkins. 
He was a son of Caleb. The registry records say that in 1785 
Caleb Church of Oakham bought portions of lots Nos. 48 and 32 
in 4th Division, one half of 22 and 52, 5th Division, also ten acres 
not then laid out. These lots were apart from each other and it 
looks as if he might have traded for them as boys sometimes 
swap jackknives "without seeing." He settled at first about 
half way from Spruce Corner up to the Lesure place in what is 
now Streeter's pasture, later moved up near the Lesure place. 
The son, Seth, was the grandfather of George B. and great- 
grandfather of Claude. His name appears on the list of select- 
men, also as representative. The Anderson house on the oppo- 
site corner was said to have been built by Sylvester Davis who 
sold to Lemuel Eldredge, he to Francis Bassett, who lived there 
many years and raised a large family. Lyman Cross, after- 
wards the hotel keeper, built the Albert Lilly house and sold it 
to Emory Knowlton, a brother of the doctor. Samuel Lilly, 
father of Albert, lived here for many years. A short distance 
above lived Timothy Hammond who had a still. The William 



Old Families and Early School Districts 331 

Ford house was early owned by sons of Ezekiel Howes who sold 
to Joel Lilly, the father of Joel, Rufus and Oscar. Forty rods 
to the north on the left is the birthplace of Zebulon B. Taylor, 
who did the good work for the Northwest cemetery. About the 
same distance farther up the hill is the cellar hole of the house 
where Enos Howes had a large family. Half a mile to the east 
on the Bear Swamp road Barnabas Howes and sons built their 
house about 1850. William H. Howes lives on the farm which 
his great-grandfather, Capt. Kimball Howes, settled. Nathan 
Vincent was an early owner of the Ralph Phillips place, later 
the Bryants and Woodards. On the Lilly place above, once 
lived Granville B. Hall. At the top of the hill was Bethuel 
Lilly. 

Henry Fuller's grandfather, Jonathan, moved from Haddam, 
Conn., to Lenox, from there to Hawley about 1785, where his 
son William was bom, who came to Ashfield and settled the 
farm his son Henry owns. A hundred rods south on the right 
was the large two-story house built by Lucius Smith, occupied 
later by Addison G. Hall. The Lesure house was built by Asa 
Guilford. Jacob Gardner, before he went to South Ashfield is 
said to have lived near here. He was an ancestor of Charles 
(the lawyer) and E. C. Gardner of Springfield. 

The name "Spruce Comer" came naturally from the abun- 
dance of spruces there. 

Ephraim Williams was the first settler here in 1771. A notice 
of this is given under "Old Mills." A graphic account of his 
settlement is given by his nephew, Rev. Francis Williams, 
quoted on page 395 of the Ellis book. His mill was near the 
comer and the house a few rods to the north. Ephraim's son, 
Daniel, built a large brick house and in time his son Darius 
built a fine bam. They were considered the best farm buildings 
in town, but unfortunately all burned in 1885. Ephraim's son, 
Apollos, built the brick house where A. R. Streeter lives. Capt. 
Elisha Cranston lived on the comer opposite. Directly south 
from here to the Goshen line ran one of the four county roads. 
Within about fifty rods of the Goshen line settled Stephen War- 
ren. His deed given in 1778 says, "land between Alder Meadow 



332 History of Ashfield 

and Grassy Meadow. " He built a large two-story house which 
for a time was a hotel. He was a great-grandfather of Warren 
Forbes of Buckland. North of him were Lazarus Barrus, John 
Eldredge and Ebenezer Palmer. 

On the hill to the west of the comer came Lot Bassett from 
Yarmouth about 1784. He was brother of Elisha, father of 
Esquire Bassett. He married a sister of Mark Howes and had 
ten children. Many descendants of this family are living in 
this vicinity. Elisha Bassett of Boston, for many years clerk of 
the United States District Court was a grandson of Lot. Three 
children, Lot, Samuel and Abigail were unmarried and lived and 
died on the old place. By economy and careful management 
they accumulated an estate which inventoried nearly $100,000. 

The settlers west of here, the Jenkins, Stetson, Beals, Ford, 
Packard, Dyer and Gurney families, nearly all came from Abing- 
ton and vicinity about 1800. Lemuel Phillips, the third of 
Esquire Phillips' twelve sons, settled on the hill about forty 
rods southwest of where Harry Shippee now lives. He had 
eleven children. 

Nelson Gardner, while living in this district, proposed to 
change the name to "Wyoming Valley," but the love of the 
old was too strong and "Spruce Comer" still reigns. 

William Hawkes lived a few rods west of the Bassett place 
on the hill. With other boys he had a son Enos, whose son 
Clarence, bom 1869, is now the well-known blind author, poet 
and lecturer, living in Hadley. When he was thirteen years of 
age, living in the southwest part of Spruce Comer, while hunting 
with his father in thick underbrush they became separated and 
when the father fired at a woodcock on the wing, the son received 
into his face the full charge of twenty-eight bird shot, com- 
pletely destroying his eyesight. After trying in vain for two 
years to have it restored, he was sent to the Perkins Institute 
for the Blind where he remained four years, graduating as 
valedictorian of his class. He afterwards took a post 
graduate course. Mr. Hawkes has written much and his 
dozen or more books on animal life take equal rank with 
those of John Burroughs and Ernest Seton Thompson. It is 



Old Families and Early School Districts 333 

wonderful that a person with only thirteen years of the memo- 
ries of childhood should be able to give such vivid descriptions 
of nature, and that with all his misfortunes he has accomplished 
so much in life. He says, "The three P's — Patience, Perse- 
verance and Pluck have been my motto. " Of his boyhood life 
here, Mr. Hawkes says : 

I certainly have a warm spot for Ashfield and her people in 
my heart. Some of the pleasantest days of my childhood were 
spent there, and it was there while going and coming from the 
schoolhouse down at Wyoming Valley, and upon the farm, as 
well as on long tramps in field and forest, that I gathered all the 
fund of Natural History which has stood me in such good stead 
since. 

Among other duties, I used to drive out to the Plain two or 
three times a week to get the mail, and lay in a supply of gro- 
ceries. I can recall as though it were yesterday the beautiful 
scene from the top of the hill above Professor Norton's to the 
village below. When my old express wagon came rattling down 
the top of this hill it was usually about sundown, and the rays 
of the setting sun were falling aslant through the tree tops, gild- 
ing with finest gold the exquisite Florentine steeple upon the 
town hall, which rose majestically among the tree tops. How 
cool and restful, too, was the green vista of Ashfield village 
street, with its canopy of overarching maples and its well kept 
lawns, with its neat residences. Broadway, New York, does not 
appeal to my imagination nearly as much now, as did the pleas- 
ant country village of Ashfield to the mind of the country boy. 

Professor Norton's place and that of George William Curtis 
always had a great attraction for me, for even at that early age 
I was a bookworm and was glad to do homage to these great 
geniuses in my small way. Little did I then dream that in later 
years Professor Norton would become a sympathetic and valu- 
able friend to me. 

The little white schoolhouse in Spruce Comer too, still calls 
to me with something of the old charm of childhood, but it can 
never be quite the same again, for while modem surgery can do 
wonders, yet it cannot put the heart of a boy back into the breast 
of a man of forty, especially if the man has traveled along the 
shady side of Life's pathway. Like Whittier's children in the 
school days poem, we were quick to leave our lessons and "go 
storming out to play." Our favorite playground was in Gard- 
ner's mill yard, or along the two streams that wound through 



334 History of Ashfield 

the broad green meadows behind the schoolhouse. I remember 
that as I sat in the back seat close to a window, I could always 
hear the low murmuring of the brook, inviting me to its fern 
fringed banks, and trout haunted pools, and calling me away 
from the intricacies of Colbum's Arithmetic. 

My father and mother were Ashfield bom. My grandparents 
upon the Hawkes side spent nearly all their lives in town, while 
my great grandfather was old Dr. Enos Smith of whom so many 
witty stories are told. So I feel like a scion of the Ashfield tree 
although I was bom in Goshen. 

Cape Street, so named because peopled mostly from the Cape, 
has been noted in another chapter. Thomas Tower settled some 
fifty rods this side of the Goshen line on the Lithia. road. He 
moved to Florida, Mass., and the place was occupied by Allen 
Eldredge. Where M. T. Clothier lives settled Abner Kelley and 
near the summer house called "Journey's End" settled the 
Seldens. Elisha Parker made his pitch at the top of the hill on 
the left about forty rods south of the schoolhouse. He was the 
father of Rev. Samuel Parker who in 1835 crossed the Rocky 
Mountains on foot, and came home two years later by the Sand- 
wich Islands. He wrote an account of his trip in a book of about 
370 pages. A partial copy of this book was found with the 
Parker descendants and placed in the Ashfield library. An 
entire copy is in the old library at Northampton. On the 
"Paddy Hill" road leading from the Capt. Lot Hall — Jepson— 
now Dyer's house, to the Goshen line lived Eli Eldredge, Eben- 
ezer Putney and Moses Belding. 



CHAPTER XXI 

MRS. miles' and H. M. SMITH's REMINISCENCES 

These Reminiscences were written by Mrs. Lydia Hall Miles 
after she had passed her ninetieth year, by request of her 
niece and nephew, Miss Julina 0. Hall and Dr. G. Stanley Hall, 
also by others interested in Ashfield history. 

My father was not a rich man and in order to support his 
large family must of course not only work very hard but practice 
also a strict economy. We never suffered for want of sufficient 
plain food but never enjoyed many luxuries, and for this reason 
grew up a healthy, happy family. In regard to clothing, not 
many dollars, and I might almost truly say, not many pennies 
were spent, for nearly everything worn by the family was of 
home production. For our summer wear flax was first needed. 
This was raised upon the farm and prepared for use by my father 
and elder brothers, then passed on to my mother who "hatch- 
eled" it. The long finer part was then ready to be wound 
about the distaff and spun upon the little wheel which was 
propelled by the foot. This part of the work was done by my 
mother and older sisters and was for the warp of the piece. The 
tow, or coarser part, that which was separated from the finer 
portion by the hatchel, was carded by hand into what was called 
rolls, why so called I cannot say, for they were flat. My mother 
often carded a lot of them in the evening for the next day's 
spinning and laid a board on the pile, to keep them flat and firm ; 
these were to be made into yam by the younger girls. A girl of 
seven years was expected to spin seven knots per day ; then the 
rest of the day might be spent in play. (A knot of yam was 
forty times around the reel, each round measuring two yards.) 
This yam from the tow was not so strong and was always used 
for filling. Our yam next must be boiled in ashes and water to 
render it soft and pliable, then it must be thoroughly rinsed to 
remove every particle of ashes. We took ours to the brook, 
rinsing it in running water which saved us much labor. Our 
yam was now ready to be converted into cloth. Then came the 
spooling, warping, beaming on, the thread carefully drawn 
through the harness and reed, the harness hung in the pulleys, 
the treadles rightly adjusted, the tow yam wound on quills and 
placed in the shuttle, and we are ready to weave. Recollect, all 



336 History of Ashfield 

the cloth for family use is to be made, towels, table linen, bed 
linen, bags for grain, in short, everything. 

This was scarcely finished before we must begin to prepare for 
winter. The sheep are sheared, wool for family use brought into 
the house to be cleansed, some to be dyed in the wool, and when 
properly prepared sent to the carding machine to be converted 
into rolls, which were spun into yam. Some of this we dyed 
blue or any other color desired to make cloth for our winter 
gowns, or perchance for the fulled cloth for the clothing of the 
male portion of our family. Sometimes this part of our winter's 
outfit was colored at the mill "Butternut," "Snuff color," 
"London brown," blue or even black, but not often. The 
dyeing was usually done at home, to save expense. 

When my eldest brother left home, at the age of twenty-one, 
he had never had a suit of clothes that was not of home manu- 
facture and "made up" in our house. My second brother's 
first suit of "boughten cloth" was his "freedom suit." Some 
of our homespun we thought very nice, and think so still. Our 
best towels we were very proud of and like to show them even 
now. Then our blankets were fine, I have the remains of one of 
them yet and show it with much pride. I spun the yam of 
which it was made, got in the piece, started the weaving myself, 
long, long ago. Could again do the same had I the strength. 
We also spun, colored the yarn for, and wove our stair carpet. 
It was a beauty, and for durability was worth several of such 
as we can buy at the present day. 

All this meant labor; girls of my acquaintance seldom went 
to school in the summer after the age of thirteen. Their ser- 
vices were required at home. We did occasionally have a calico 
dress for church wear, and as we outgrew them, passed them on 
to younger members of the family. Mine, at an early age, were 
paid for in men's socks which were knit by myself; one pair of 
these would pay for one yard of calico. When this was pur- 
chased I was a very proud and happy girl. 

Our house was small, without plaster or paint at the time of 
my earliest recollections, but after some years was plastered and 
painted on the inside, but never externally. After many years 
my father built a modern house, but not while my mother lived. 

A man's wages at this time seldom exceeded fifty cents per 
day, even in haying; and six dollars a month was great pay. 
Still we lived on our farm in a small house in a small way. Our 
supper was usually bread and milk. Pork, beef and mutton were 
raised on the farm and if in autumn our supply ran short, a 
spring lamb or a chicken was slaughtered. Every family kept 



Mrs. Miles' and H. M. Smith's Reminiscences 337 

geese; these were picked twice every summer for the feathers 
for our beds and pens from the quills. Plenty of com was 
raised on every farni, also rye and oats and sometimes we raised 
a little wheat. I distinctly remember the first barrel of flour in 
our house ; it was brought to our house from Albany by a team- 
ster and it was on the road more than one day but it came and 
we had a whole barrel of flour. The man owed my father and 
could pay in this way or very likely we might not have been so 
extravagant as to buy such an amount at one time. 

Our wheat when we had any, and our rye were carried to the 
mill, converted into coarse flour, fine flour, and bran. The fine 
flour was for pastry, and this was done by bolting. Our rye was 
only made into meal, which was much better for mixing with 
com meal for our brown bread; this was baked in large pans 
in our brick ovens and was much superior to the brown bread 
made at the present day, for in baking the heat was greatest at 
the outset and gradually diminished as the baking proceeded. 
This bread, thoroughly baked, with butter, cheese, or even with 
milk was not to be despised. Our cheese found a ready market 
whenever we had more than was needed for home consumption. 
These were made during the summer. Very little butter was 
made in the hot weather, till many years later, when it was sent 
to Boston. Before this, ten or twelve and a half cents was paid 
for a pound, sometimes less. 

I have done many a washing for a neighbor who was in need 
of some aid, received twelve and a half cents for the day's work 
and felt amply compensated. Nearly every family of my 
acquaintance did their own work, even if their means would 
allow them to hire. When help was needed no one wished to 
take advantage of those in need of assistance. No girl of that 
day would think of asking a dollar a week for her services, even 
if she worked from sun to sun. My older sister engaged to teach 
a school and "board around" and was promised seventy-five 
cents a week; but if she did well, she should receive five shillings 
instead. At the close of school she received ten dollars for the 
twelve weeks, for "doing well" and felt well repaid. 

After providing food and clothing for the household, many 
other things must be looked after. Our houses must be lighted 
in some way during our long winter evenings and this was done 
by means of tallow candles. We first spin some tow with great 
care; it must be twisted only just enough to hold together, for 
if twisted too much we should get almost no light from our 
candles. This being rightly prepared, it was cut into proper 
lengths and twisted on the rods, a quantity of tallow was melted 



338 History of Ashfield 

and the "dipping" began. The first dip was the most import- 
ant; after this was done, every incipient candle must be made 
straight; this required the pressing of the thumb and finger 
down each, rolHng it carefully all the way down, then the rest 
was more easily done. One rod after another was immersed in 
the tallow till they were as large as desired. Sometimes this 
required many hours, as they must be cooled before the next 
dip, or, if too cool, the successive layers of tallow would not unite. 

Soap making was very disagreeable and our small house was 
then in a very confused state. The male portion of our house- 
hold were not unwilling to absent themselves from home at this 
time, as well as when a barrel of cider was boiled down for apple 
sauce, as was done every autumn. Women of that day stood 
in no need of devising means by which to amuse themselves or 
for exercise, perhaps a little too much exercise was required to 
provide for their families. But were people less social in those 
days? I trow not. My mind goes back to my childhood, when 
on many winter evenings the merry chimes of sleigh bells 
announced the coming of two or three of our remote neighbors 
for a long winter evening's visit. Were they invited? no, 
they came for a good time, and then our near neighbors came in 
to add to the pleasure of all concerned. During the evening the 
hostess is expected to cook a meat supper for her guests. This 
is to be done in the open fireplace, as there was not at that time 
a cook stove in our school district ; everything was cooked by the 
fireplace or in the brick oven. A kettle was hung on the hooks 
over the fire and when the water boiled the potatoes and other 
vegetables were added; next we wanted a good bed of coals on 
which to fry the ham or sausage, as well as coals for making the 
tea, and still another bunch to warm the mince pie. When all 
was in readiness the guests were called to the table, a blessing 
asked, and a more happy group you will not often meet. Our 
next neighbor (Nathaniel Clark) was of a happy, jovial nature 
and wherever he was there was innocent mirth and jollity. 

Matches, now in daily use, the value of which we appreciate 
very little more than the air we breathe, were not known or 
thought of at that time. If, through any oversight or neglect, 
we had permitted our fire to go out, what was to be done and 
how make the fire? We go to our neighbor for a few coals, but 
if none could be obtained on our side of the hill — which some- 
times did occur — -we were in a dilemma indeed. If my father 
was at home, he, by means of two pieces of iron, struck fire, and 
every family was provided with a tinder box, then by striking, 
a spark was to fall on some tinder which was ignited, and a few 



Mrs. Miles' and H. M. Smith's Reminiscences 339 

very thin shavings added, then larger ones with wood above on 
the andirons and thus started our fire. Another way of getting 
fire was by rubbing rapidly together two sticks of wood, one 
hard and the other soft, igniting them by friction. Sometimes 
my father got fire by means of his old flintlock gun; a little 
powder was placed in the pan, the lock snapped sending the 
flash upon the tinder. This state of things seldom occurred. My 
mother was usually the last one up in the house and was careful 
to see that a good bed of coals was so deeply buried in ashes 
that on raking them open a fire could be started at once. 

Our huge fireplace was some four feet long and so deep that 
a log two feet in diameter was placed against the back, another 
half as large upon this, the andirons set against these and a fore- 
stick of good size upon them. A space was left between the back- 
log and forestick in which with great care small pieces of wood 
were placed, then underneath, the incipient fire was put and we 
soon had a roaring blaze pleasant to see. In the hot days of 
summer the backlog was omitted, and the fire being so far back 
in the fireplace, most of the heat went up the chimney and our 
houses were not more uncomfortable than at the present day. 
Ventilation was secured by means of the large chimney as well 
as by the many cracks and crevices about the windows and doors 
and in the unplastered walls. In 1840, we had our first cook 
stove with its elevated oven. 

On our side of the hill there was no clock; and in my early 
years they were rarely found in farmers' houses. But every 
house had its noonmark ; and our town, or rather church, bell 
was rung at noon and at nine o'clock in the evening. But on 
bright sunny days our parents could tell by the sun almost any 
hour of the day, and at night by the moon and stars, with the 
Almanac only for their guide. Sometimes my brothers wished 
to join their companions for an excursion at an hour or two 
before sunrise. My father though not an astronomer, by con- 
sulting the stars, would give the call at the right time. Having 
been obliged to observe the stars from youth he had become 
quite proficient and in a cloudless night could tell the hour 
almost exactly. 

The old Steady Lane schoolhouse was built on a ledge of rock 
with the old chimney made mostly of unhewn stone laid up with 
mortar but topped out with brick. In the winter when the fire 
was roaring up the chimney a baker's dozen of children were 
standing before the fire, shielding their faces from the intense heat 
while those in the seats were shivering with chattering teeth and 
nearly freezing waiting their " turn " at the fire. In summer this 



340 History of Ashfield 

huge, rough, gaping fireplace was filled with bushes; oak bushes 
were preferred as their leaves did not wither so soon. The seats 
were on three sides of the room, the back seats commencing near 
the door and extending in one unbroken line around three sides 
of the house, the floor for these seats being two steps higher than 
the main floor. The second row was not continuous like the 
first but had three alleys, one in the middle and one on each side. 
Then came a seat across each side of the south aisle and lastly 
seats with no desks around the three sides. The schoolhouse 
was built in part by Elisha Wing, Sr. The seats were very high 
and on the front benches children could not touch their toes 
to the floor but studied with their feet dangling. It was a per- 
ennial joke that Uncle Elisha's legs were so long that he had 
naturally no idea how high a seat for a child ought to be. The 
entry extended across the house on the north with the rough 
chimney unconcealed. Stepping out of the door two or three 
feet away and nearly on a line with the house to the north was a 
huge boulder nearly as high as the eaves and more than half the 
width of the house. This rock was the favorite playground of 
generations of children. It was covered with a merry group as 
soon as "The playful children just let loose from school" could 
mount it. The last to mount was the catcher; then followed a 
merry game of which we never tired. Not far distant was 
another of the huge boulders, nearly as long but not so wide or 
so flat on top, indeed at the north end it was scarcely two and 
one-half feet high and seven or eight at the south end ; this also 
was a favorite spot for us but far inferior to the "great rock. " 
These rocks were blown to pieces when the new schoolhouse was 
to be built to the great regret of "ye olden time" pupils of 
Steady Lane. One of these old pupils, the Rev. Charles Porter 
of Boston, in his address at the Ashfield Centennial in 1865, 
termed the destruction of these rocks a piece of Vandalism. 
"That old rock" said he, "was my greatest help in getting an 
education." The old landmark is gone, and now nothing re- 
mains to show where rock or house once stood. Play, though 
an important factor, was not all we enjoyed at school. O, no; 
our games ended at once when the teacher, ruler in hand, 
appeared and rapped on the side of the door, which was a signal 
that we were wanted within. Then came our various lessons; 
we had no blackboards and each lad and lass came to the 
teacher's chair and was duly taught their a-b ab's, and to pro- 
nounce the same. When one lesson could be read correctly the 
next was taken, then lessons with three letters, and in process 
of time we came to the "Baker page" feeling very much elated; 



Mrs. Miles' and H. M. Smith's Reminiscences 341 

and ere the summer ended were able to read in the " Readings. " 
Our only reading book for a long time was "Webster's Spelling 
Book." With "Old Webster" and "Colbum's Arithmetic" which 
began with fingers and thumbs on our hands and by degrees took 
us to very abstruse questions at last, we were furnished with 
such knowledge as would enable one to do business very fairly. 
In our schools in the twenties, all were expected to attend to "the 
three R's ;" further than this was elective. There were no regular 
classes in written arithmetic. When one needed help, the 
"master" was expected to render it, but it was given with as 
few words as possible. In writing our teacher must not only 
"set the copy, " but also make the pens with which we wrote, 
from the quills of the goose. These were soon rendered unfit 
for use and must be mended, thus keeping him so busy that he 
was obliged to do two things at a time. 

In our school, numbering anywhere from eighty to one hun- 
dred pupils, it could not be possible for the teacher to give any 
lengthy explanation. A teacher who fairly succeeded with such 
meagre equipments richly deserves praise and a grateful re- 
membrance. Among my teachers, some who stand out promi- 
nently are Betsey Smith, Amelia Butler, Mercy D. Williams, 
and in after years. Wait Bement and Rev. Otis Fisher, who 
was not of the common order, but was a born teacher. 

The next year we had "Adams' Arithmetic," but no blackboard 
and no regular recitations; still we made some progress. In 
addition we had "Goodrich's History of the United States. ' ' Now 
every alternate week we were to "write a composition. " This, 
we felt, put us in the condition of the Israelites when they were 
to make bricks without straw, but it had to be done. One girl 
wrote of her troubles in coming to school; sometimes detained 
altogether by fierce storms and winds, again in passing almost 
insurmountable drifts of snow, then at last defeated by a "con- 
bominable drift. " 

I was now in the first class, in the back seat, the highest of all, 
reading in "Scott's Lessons" but still in "Webster's Spelling 
Book," for all were drilled in that book as long as they were 
members of the school. This winter I had "Blake's Natural 
Philosophy" added to my studies, but I liked my "Adams' 
Arithmetic" best. This was my last year of schooling in 
"Steady Lane," and indeed my school days were nearly past, 
for two terms in Franklin Academy at Shelbume Falls and one 
in Sanderson in my native town were all that followed. 

In the spring of 1835, I went to Shelbume Falls and entered 
"The Franklin Academy. " The village was then destitute of a 



342 History of Ashfield 

single church, but the first Baptist church was built that sum- 
mer. Service was held in the chapel in the school building. 
There were scarce a dozen houses in the village at that time; 
no store, no manufactory save a shop where scythe snaths were 
made, a grist mill and tannery; a very quiet place, indeed. 
Most of the pupils boarded at the Mansion House with the 
teachers. Some roomed in the Academy building, as did also 
our good teacher, Rev. Otis Fisher. My boarding place was near 
the bridge, in the old "Shaker House, " with seven others. At five 
o'clock the Academy bell rang, when all were to be in their 
places in the Chapel for prayers. One of the older students 
stood, pencil and paper in hand, to mark as absent any delin- 
quent; and when school met for " Rhetoricals, " the absentee 
was called upon to give reason for such absence. Frequently, 
we went back to our beds on our return, as our feet, and at 
times our clothes, were wet and we needed to put on fresh ones 
before breakfast at half past six. Then came our "study hours " 
in our own rooms; going to the Academy to recite at the ap- 
pointed hour. The entire school never met but for prayers and 
"Rhetorical Exercises. " We were not to leave our rooms during 
study hours but for recitations. Thus passed many happy days 
during two spring terms of '35 and '36. 

At the close of this last term I was greatly surprised by being 
invited to take charge of the "South Centre" school of Shel- 
bume. At first I demurred, but finally consented, if my good 
teacher, Mr. Fisher, thought me qualified for the place, which I 
doubted. With a favorite classmate, who had before made her 
debut, I called on the august teacher and stated the case with 
fear and trembling. He listened, then seated himself, tore off a 
scrap of paper, wrote a few words and gave me, which I have to 
this day. He was chairman of the committee of Shelbume and 
this was my "Certificate." Soon I was installed teacher, with 
more than forty pupils of ages ranging from three to fifteen years, 
the dearest children, I soon thought, that the world had ever seen. 

Thus commenced the teaching of "Aunt Lydia," which was 
kept up almost continuously for nearly forty years, most of the 
time in Ashfield schools. Thirty years ago it was said that a 
majority of the adult people then living in town had been at 
some time her pupils. She records that the next winter, not 
feeling fully prepared for her work as teacher, she remained at 
home assisting about the house and spending her leisure hours 
in study. 



Mrs. Miles' and H. M. Smith's Reminiscences 343 

Early in the spring I was engaged to teach in my home dis- 
trict. This again was a school of over forty pupils, with ages 
from three to fifteen and from those commencing the alphabet 
to the class in United States History. Every minute of my time 
was filled, and nearly every day I found it impossible to hear 
all the lessons, so the older classes would wait until after school 
hours, usually until five o'clock. Three of my older pupils were 
afterwards college graduates. At the close of the term I received 
one dollar and twenty-five cents perweek,nordid I feel aggrieved 
at this small sum, for some of the teachers had one dollar a week, 
but never again did I teach for so small a sum. The following 
winter I was a student in Sanderson Academy spending all I had 
earned in teaching, as I had my own bills to pay. I partly paid 
my tuition by teaching the advanced class in Arithmetic, and 
helping in some other ways. At the close of the term I took 
charge of the village school for six weeks, then engaged to 
return to my own district, but was to have one dollar and fifty 
cents per week for the summer of 1838. 

The next year I had an early offer to teach at the "Round 
School " for two dollars per week which I accepted to the disgust 
of my home friends. 

After teaching a winter school in Wardville, the spring of 1840 
finds her back again in the "Round School" district. She 
speaks of this as being a very pleasant school. She notes that 
this was the year of the Harrison campaign and of seeing the 
wagon with its log cabin and barrel of hard cider and its load of 
Whigs cheering for "Tippecanoe and Tyler too," and singing 
the popular campaign song, with the chorus 

"For I never will be a locofoco, locofoco. 
For I never will be a locofoco any more." 

This wagon starting from Plainfield was on its way to the 
great Whig convention at Greenfield held in August of that 
year. Every loyal Whig on the route was expected to hitch his 
yoke of oxen to the string and jimip aboard, cheering for "Log 
Cabin and Hard Cider, " "Tippecanoe and Tyler too. " A fine 
description of this gathering is given in one of Mary P. Wells 
Smith's charming books, I think in "Jolly Good Times at 
Hackmatack. " 

In May, '41, I went to New Boston and found the school 
room so crowded that it was difficult for those who wished to 



344 History of Ashfield 

write to do so. After considering the matter, I suggested that we 
come at eight o'clock when we could have the house to our- 
selves. The teacher was still obliged to make and mend the 
pens for the writers as steel pens had not yet made their appear- 
ance here. 

After this, several terms followed in the Spruce Comer 
school. She says: 

Here, as before, a house full of small children as well 
as young men and maidens greeted me. Every seat was 
filled, even the teacher's desk, but this mattered not as 
'Teacher' seldom had a moment to be seated. The short 
winter days were not long enough to do all that seemed needful, 
so some who deserved more attention were invited to my board- 
ing place for study in the evening. Sometimes we had an even- 
ing school at the school house, the parents often coming in with 
the young people. 

The Reminiscences record the various schools taught, mostly 
in her own town, once as assistant at the Academy, many times 
in her own district, until 1873 when she taught her last school. 

In 1875, she married Mr. Seth Miles with whom she lived 
about fifteen years. A few years after his death she left the 
village and went to live with her brothers and sister on the farm. 
Her sister Clarissa died in 1899, Orville in 1903, and Alvan, 
aged 98, in 1906. 

We quote some of the words penned by her on the death of her 
brother Orville, words which those who knew him can appre- 
ciate : 

He, who had all his life been the one to care more for others 
than for himself, was now laid away. His benefactions will 
never be known on earth. Did a poor boy wish to go to the 
Academy, his purse was open, tuition paid and sometimes 
something more was done in the case. " Let no one know, " he 
would say. His motto was, "Let not your left hand know what 
your right hand doeth. " His life was a busy one. He served 
years in a number of public offices, and was public spirited in 
every sense of the word. 

For her old mates and pupils she has tender recollections. 

Of all the members of the old Steady Lane school contempo- 
rary with myself I know of but two who still survive, both now 



Mrs. Miles' and H. M. Smith's Reminiscences 345 

living in Michigan. Most of my pupils have left life's busy mart, 
and gone to their final reward. One little red headed lad, whose 
smiling face was a pleasure to look upon, went West and all trace 
of him to me was lost. After years and years had passed he 
wrote me a nice letter from Minneapolis saying he had just 
heard by way of a friend that I still lived in my native town and 
that he was desirous of hearing from me. He had been pros- 
perous, was a member of a noted firm in that city and was a 
useful member of society. These little "puffs" occasionally 
received are a source of gratification to a lone, garrulous old 
woman, for you know that I said at first I loved praise, and I 
like it still whether deserved or not. 

A little further on towards the close : 

Now Alvan and I alone are left ; he an old man verging on a 
century, I over ninety, both feeling the weight of years. Even 
"the grasshopper is a burden," the few duties of the day arduous, 
the night very welcome. The sands of life are nearly run, mem- 
ory impaired, "the grinders cease because they are few, they 
that look out of the windows are darkened, and the doors shall 
be shut in the streets." And now with only a wreck of our 
former selves, I cannot see what would be our fate were it not 
for the kindness of our many friends showered upon us almost 
daily, unworthy as we are. That the Giver of every good and 
perfect gift may reward them abundantly is the wish of my 
heart. 

Lydia Hall Miles died August 25, 1909, aged 92 years, 7 
months, 10 days. 

The following Reminiscences were written by Horace M. 
Smith for the benefit of his relatives, a few years before his 
death. 

My grandfather was Chipman Smith and to the best of my 
knowledge was bom and spent the early part of his life in 
Haddam, Connecticut. I do not know just when he was bom, 
probably about 1760. His tombstone in Ashfield will tell. I 
do not know just when he moved to Ashfield. He married 
Mehetable Haskell who to the best of my knowledge was bom 
in the town of Greenwich, Mass. In Ashfield they settled on 
" Peter Hill, " the very top of it and the spot can now be located. 
They afterwards lived where Frank Howes now lives. There 



346 History of Ashfield 

they raised a family of six children with no deaths in the family 
till my grandmother died at the age of 77 years. My grand- 
father as I recollect him was of sturdy build and jovial disposi- 
tion. My grandmother was smart and strong, resolute, in- 
terested in knowing all that was going on in the world, religious 
in her nature and an unfaltering believer in the doctrine of Pre- 
destination. She was known throughout the town as "Aunt 
Hitty. " She was good company for both old and young and 
what she did not know about the Bible was not worth knowing. 
The young men of the town who were studying for the ministry, 
the Paines and Whites, took great delight in calling on "Aunt 
Hitty" to discuss "doctrinal points;" she could talk religion 
with the best of them, and was "a spectacle to behold" when 
she walked into the church wearing a red camlet cloak. (I think 
cousin Lavina has a piece of that cloak now.) I have a most 
loving remembrance of her, for within a little dirty tin cup she 
had a balm composed of mutton tallow, shoemaker's wax, and 
rosin which healed my sore toes when I was a little child, and I 
can never cease to worship her memory for the nice cup custards 
and the nice "piders" (pie dough) she used to give me every 
time she baked. She took snuff and grandfather smoked a pipe 
and both enjoyed it. 

Their children were as follows : Annis, married Apollos Wil- 
liams; Hannah, married Ebenezer Cranston; Justus, married 

Jerusha Montague; Lucius, married Wrisley, Lydia Bas- 

sett; Chipman, married Rebecca Porter; Betsey, married Al van 
Cross. 

My father's name was Justus, born in 1791, on "Peter Hill" 
in Ashfield where he lived, and died in 1846. His education was 
limited, never going to school after he was seven years old. He 
was an honest man, a good farmer, respected and beloved by all 
who knew him. He was drafted for the war of 1812 and spent 
several months on "Dorchester Heights" (now South Boston) 
but never saw the enemy. He was made a Captain of the State 
Militia and was elected once or more to represent Ashfield in the 
State Legislature ("The Gineral Court" as I was used to hear 
it called). He was frequently called upon to settle disputes 
between parties and his judgment was implicitly relied on in all 
cases when values or weights were to be considered. He took 
pride in raising the best crops and in having the best and fattest 
cattle. He would about once a year make up a drove of cattle, 
his own and those of his townsmen who had cattle they wished 
to dispose of, and drive them to Brighton market, and once I, 



Mrs. Miles' and H. M. Smith's Reminiscences 347 

a very green boy of eleven or twelve years, went with him. We 
met a very poor market and stayed over a week in Watertown 
for a better one. 

My father married when he was thirty years old and located 
in Ashfield where Mrs. Wright now lives, which place he owned 
at that time. There all his children were bom in the southwest 
comer room. He continued to live there till I was four years old 
when he sold the place to Mr. John Bement and moved to the 
adjoining farm which he bought of Mr. Joseph Porter and there 
he lived and died. It nearly broke my little heart when I knew 
that I had to leave my birthplace. I well recollect the time of 
moving. It was winter, and I rode over to my new home on a 
sled by the side of the soap tub. I suppose I soon became satis- 
fied with my new home as I have no recollections of any special 
longings to return. 

My father and mother had six children only three of whom, 
Miranda, Justus and Horace, lived to maturity. My father was 
always kind and indulgent and always ready to do any thing 
within his means for the comfort and welfare of his children. 
We had everything we needed for our comfort, our home was 
one of love and peace; no wrangling, no scolding, no punish- 
ments; we had peace and plenty; our living was frugal but as 
good as any one had in those days. My father's farm contained 
a hundred acres and we raised plenty of com and potatoes, 
wheat, buckwheat, fruit and "garden sass. " We had an apple 
orchard of four acres and a cider mill in the yard back of the big 
barns, especially set apart for it when we made the cider for the 
town. For our own use we used to put in ten or twelve barrels of 
"winter apples," and ten or twelve barrels of cider, most of 
which was pretty thoroughly punished by the time we heard the 
creaking of the old cider mill again. Some of the apples nearest 
my heart were the "Seek no further" ("sig no feather" as I 
used to call it) , the ' ' Pig nose, ' ' the ' ' Mall Tom ' ' and the ' ' Early 
Tree" to which I used to skip in the early morning to gather 
those which had fallen during the night. The season of apple 
picking was a joyous time to me. My recollections of the "Old 
Homestead" and all that occurred there are very vivid and 
interesting. In the winter we always had two large bams filled 
with hay, rowen and fodder of all kinds which was fed out during 
the long winter months to two or three or more pairs of fat oxen, 
two or three horses and colts, four or five milch cows, and more 
or less young cattle and sheep. In the summer it was among my 
duties to drive the cows to pasture in the morning and bring 
them back at night; pick up chips for the fire, and go to the 



348 History of Ashfield 

Steady Lane school, hunt hens' eggs, etc. In the winter I would 
help milk the cows, feed the calves and draw into the kitchen 
on my little sled plenty of wood to fill a big box by the stove with 
an elevated oven to keep us from being frozen. 

However cold and stormy the weather might be, Miranda, 
Justus and myself scarcely missed going to school a single day. 
I remember with affection some of my early school masters, 
some of whom were Peleg Aldrich (who afterwards became 
Justice of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts), Earl Guilford 
and Austin Burr, and I especially hold one of my school marms 
in grateful remembrance — Mrs. Lydia Hall (Miles) . She was an 
excellent teacher and drilled into our youthful minds the rudi- 
ments of knowledge. She would have the school repeat the 
multiplication table several times every day. It was burned into 
our minds never to be forgotten. The school house was a rough 
specimen built by " Uncle Elisha" (Wing). It would seat about 
forty boys and girls and was well filled in winter in my boyhood. 
There were the Wings, Halls and Clarks from "Bug Hill," the 
Halls, Bassetts and Williamses from the North, the Williamses, 
Fullers, Bryants, Lillys and Kilbums from the South, and the 
Coles, Stockings, Putneys and Smiths from the East. I at- 
tended school in the Plain district one winter when it was kept 
by Henry L. Dawes, afterwards Senator. I also attended Sander- 
son Academy several terms under Dawes, Mitchell and Cooley. 

There is one institution I must not forget to mention. It is 
the " Curfew, " established before my birth and continued to this 
day. That same bell has been rung at 12 M. and 9 P. M. every 
day for more than seventy years. My father had the contract 
for ringing it several years and I myself have rung it for meet- 
ings, for funerals and all occasions. Our home was within 
twenty rods of the church. My father was not a professor of 
religion or a church member. He did not think he needed to 
belong to the church to make him a good man and citizen. The 
Golden Rule was his religion and he was as good as anyone in 
the town and as highly respected. He was accustomed to attend 
church once every Sunday (morning) and salt his cattle and 
sheep and care for them the rest of the day. We had a pew in 
the gallery of the old church and there I have had many a good 
sleep with my head on father's lap. The first minister I have 
any recollection of is "Priest Shepard. " (All ministers were 
called Priests in those days.) He was very much beloved. The 
steeple of the "Old Church," the present town hall, has been 
very much admired for its symmetry. It is of the Christopher 
Wren style of church building in vogue in England centuries ago. 



CHAPTER XXII 

PRESIDENT G. STANLEY HALL's BOY LIFE IN ASHFIELD 

From a paper read before the American Antiquarian Society, 
published 1891, Vol. 7, pp. 107-128, "Boy Life in a Massachu- 
setts Country Town Forty Years Ago," by G. Stanley Hall. 

Between the ages of nine and fourteen, my parents, who then 
lived in a distant town, very wisely permitted me to spend most 
of the school -less part of these five years, so critical for a boy's 
development, with a large family on a large farm in Ashfield of 
this State. Although this joyous period ended long ago, the life, 
modes of thought and feeling, industries, dress, etc., were very 
old-fashioned for that date, and were tenaciously and proudly 
kept so. I have freely eked out the boyish memory of those five 
years with that of older persons, but everything that follows 
was in Ashfield within the memory of people living there a few 
years ago. Time allows me to present here but a small part of 
the entire record, to sample it here and there, and show a few 
obvious lessons. 

I begin with winter, when men's industries were most diver- 
sified, and were largely in wood. Lumber — or timber — trees 
were chopped down and cut by two men working a cross-cut saw, 
which was always getting stuck fast in a pinch which took the 
set out of it, unless the whole trunk was pried up by skids. 
Sometimes the fallen trees were cut into logs, snaked together, 
and piled with the aid of cant-hooks, to be drawn across the 
frozen pond to the saw-mill for some contemplated building, or, 
if of spruce, of straight grain and few knots, or of good rift, they 
were cut in bolts, or cross-sections of fifteen inches long, which 
was the legal length for shingles. These were taken home in a 
pung, split with beetle and wedge, and then with a frow, and 
finished off with a drawshave, on a shaving-horse, itself home- 
made. These rive shingles were thought far more durable than 
those cut into shape by the buzz-saw which does not follow the 
grain. To be of prime quality these must be made of heart and 
not sap wood, nor of second growth trees. The shavings were in 
wide demand for kindling fires. Axe-helves, too, were sawn, 
split, hewn, whittled, and scraped into shape with bits of broken 
glass, and the forms peculiar to each local maker were as char- 
acteristic as the style of painter or poet, and were widely known, 



350 History of Ashfield 

compared and criticised. Butter-paddles were commonly made 
of red cherry, while sugar lap paddles were made by merely 
barking whistle wood or bass, and whittling down one end for a 
handle. Mauls and beetles were made of ash-knots, ox-bows of 
walnut, held in shape till seasoned by withes of yellow birch, 
from which also birch brushes and brooms were manufactured 
on winter evenings by stripping down seams of wood in the 
green. There were salt mortars and pig-troughs made from 
solid logs, with tools hardly more effective than those the Indian 
uses for his dug-out. Flails for next year's threshing; cheese- 
hoops and cheese-ladders; bread-troughs, and yokes for hogs 
and sheep, and pokes for jumping cattle, horses and unruly 
geese, and stanchions for cows. Some took this season for 
cutting next summer's bean and hop poles, pea bush, cart and 
sled stakes, with an eye always out for a straight clean whip 
stock or fish pole. Repairs were made during this season, and a 
new cat-hole beside the door, with a laterally working drop-lid, 
which the cat operated with ease, was made one winter. New 
sled neaps, and fingers for the grain cradle, handles for shovels 
and dung-forks, pitchforks, spades, spuds, hoes, and a little 
earlier, for rakes; scythes and brooms were home-made, and 
machines and men of special trades were so far uncalled for. 
Nearly all these forms of domestic woodwork I saw, and even 
helped in as a boy of ten might, or imitated them in play in those 
thrice-happy days; while in elder pop-guns, with a ringing 
report, that were almost dangerous indoors; hemlock bows and 
arrows, or cross bows, with arrow-heads run on with melted lead 
(for which every scrap of lead pipe or antique pewter dish was 
in great demand) often fatal for very small game; box and 
figure 4 traps for rats and squirrels; windmills; weather vanes 
in the form of fish, roosters or even ships ; an actual saw-mill that 
went in the brook, and cut planks with marino and black and 
white Carter potatoes for logs; and many whittled tools, toys 
and ornamental forms and puppets; — in all these and many 
more, I even became in a short time, a fairly average expert as 
compared with other boys, at least so I then thought. How 
much all this has served me since, in the laboratory, in daily 
life, and even in the study, it would be hard to estimate. 

The home industry in woolen is a good instance of one which 
survives in occasional families to this day. Sheep, as I remem- 
ber, could thrive on the poorest hay, or orts, the leavings of the 
neat cattle. In summer they could eat brakes and poly pods, if 
not even hardback and tansy, and would browse down berry 
briers and underbrush, while their teeth cut the grass so close 



Pres. G. Stanley Hall's Boy Life in Ashfield 351 

that cows could hardly survive in the same pasture with them. 
The spring lambs were raised in the shed by hand, sometimes as 
cossets by the children, who often derived their first savings 
therefrom. Sheep washing day was a gala day when, if at no 
other time, liquor was used against exposure; and shearing, 
which came a week or two later, was hardly less interesting. 
A good shearer, who had done his twenty-five head a day, com- 
manded good wages, seventy-five cents or a dollar a day; while 
the boys must pull the dead sheep, even though they were only 
found after being some weeks defunct. Fleeces for home use 
were looked over, all burrs and shives picked out, and they were 
then oiled with poor lard. "Bees" to do this were often held. 
Carding early became specialized, and carders were in every 
town, but the implements were in each family, some members 
of which could not only card, but could even use the fine, long- 
toothed worsted combs in an emergency. The rolls were spun 
at home, novices doing the woof or filling, and the older girls the 
warp, which must be of better quality. It was taken from the 
spindle sometimes on a niddy-noddy held in the hand, at two 
rounds per yard, but more commonly on a reel, in rounds of 
two yards each. Every forty rounds was signalized on a reel 
by the snap of a wooden spring or the fall of a hammer, and 
constituted a knot, four, five, seven, or ten of which (in different 
families and for different purposes) constituting a skein, and 
twenty knots making a run. Four seven-knotted skeins of 
filling, or six of warp was a day's work, though now, I am told, 
few young women can accomplish so much without excessive 
fatigue. The yam, doubled if for stockings, after being washed 
clean of grease, next went to the great dye-tub in the chimney 
comer. Butternut bark for everyday suits, indigo for Sunday 
suits, and madder for shirting was the rule. There were also 
fancy dyes and fancy dyeing, braiding, binding tightly or twist- 
ing in a white thread to get the favorite hit-or-miss, or pepper- 
and-salt effect, a now almost incredible ingenuity in making up 
figures and fancy color effects for loom patterns in girls' dresses. 
Next the filling was quilled and the warp spooled, the former 
ready for the shuttle, and the latter for the warping bars (both 
of these latter being often home-made), to which it goes from 
the scam or spool -frame. In warping, the leese must be taken 
with care, for if the order of the threads is lost they cannot be 
properly thumbed through the harnesses and hooked through 
the reed, and are good for nothing but to make into clothes lines 
and the piece is lost. A raddle also acts in keeping the warp 
disentangled and of proper width before the lathe and tenters 



352 History of Ashfield 

can hold it. Sometimes blue and white shirt-formed frock cloth 
was woven, sometimes kerseys and plaid dress patterns of many 
colors, or woolen sheets, and even woolen pillow-cases, which 
were as warm and heavy, although coarser, than those the ol- 
factorial zoologist Jaeger advises, and sells to his followers. The 
complication of harnesses and treadles required to weave some 
of the more complicated carpet, and especially coverlid patterns, 
evinced great ingenuity and long study, and is probably now, 
although the combinations were carefully written down, in 
most communities a forever lost art. On coming from the loom 
the cloth was wet for shrinkage, and the nap picked up with 
cards of home grown teasels and sheared smooth on one side, 
although in those days this process had already gone to the local 
fuller. Coarse yam was also spun from tag-locks, which was, of 
course, home carded. Knitting was easy, pretty, visiting work. 
Girls earned from two to three York shillings a pair for men's 
stockings, paid in trade from the store, which put out such 
work if desired. Shag mittens were knit from thrumbs or the 
left-over ends of warp. Nubias and sontags were knit with 
large wooden needles, and men's gloves, tidies, and clock stock- 
ings with ornamental open work in the sides were knit with one 
hook, and the tape loom held between the knees was kept going 
evenings. 

Domestic flax industry still lingers in a few families. The 
seed was sown broadcast and grew till the bolls were ripe, when 
it was pulled and laid in rows by the boys and whipped, in a 
few days, to get the seed for meal. After lying out of doors 
for some weeks till the shives were rotten, it was put through 
the process of braking on the ponderous flax-break. It was 
then swingled, hatchelled, and finally hanked. It was then 
wound on the distaff made of a young spruce top, and drawn 
out for spinning. Grasshopper years, when the fibre was short, 
this was hard, and though ticking, meal bags and scratchy tow 
shirts could be made, finer linen products were impossible. 
After weaving it must be bleached in a good quality of air. 

However it was with adults, child life was full of amuse- 
ments. Children were numerous in every neighborhood, and 
though they were each required to be useful, they were in early 
years left much to themselves and were at home in every house, 
bam, or shed, within a mile or more. There was, of course, 
coasting, skating, swimming, gool, fox and hounds, and snow- 
balling, with choosing of sides, lasting for a whole school term, 
with elaborate forts; cart wheel and men o' morn's in the snow; 
collar and elbow, or square hold wrestling, with its many differ- 



Pres. G. Stanley Hall's Boy Life in Ashfield 353 

ent trips, locks and play-ups — side and back hold being unsci- 
entific; round ball; two and four old cat, with soft yam balls 
thrown at the runner. The older girl-boys spent the hour's 
nooning in the schoolhouse and either paired off for small games 
or talks, or played "Here we stand all round this ring," 
"Needle's eye," "Kitty comers," or "Who's got the button." 
As in the age of Shakespeare the queen's maids of honor played 
tag, so here all children, and even adults often played child's 
games with gusto. In the family, as they gathered about the 
stove, or sometimes about the grand old fireplace in the back 
kitchen, with its back-log, crane, pot hooks and trammels, 
there were stories of the old fort, of bears, wild cats, Indians and 
Bloody Brook, and other probably unprinted tales perhaps many 
generations old. There were some who could sing old English 
ballads that had come down by tradition, and which had never 
been in print in America, and more who could sing a comic 
song or pathetic negro melody. Lord Lovel, Irving, Bunyan, 
The Youth's Companion and many Sunday-school books were 
read aloud. A pair of skates was earned by a boy friend one 
winter by reading the entire Bible through, and another bought 
an accordion with money earned by braiding the plain sides of 
palm-leaf hats where no splicing was needed, for the women at 
a cent per side. All families allowed the game of fox and geese, 
a few permitted checkers, and one, backgammon, which was 
generally thought to be almost gambling ; dominoes were barely 
tolerated, but riddles, rebuses and charades were in high favor 
by old and young, and were published in all the local weekly 
papers. It was here that I learned that card playing, which 
I had often seen before . but did not much understand nor 
care for, was very wrong, and a boy friend was taught old 
sledge, and euchre, up over the horse sheds on Sundays be- 
tween services, by an older son of the officiating minister. 
There were hull-gull; cats-cradle with two series of changes; 
string and knot puzzles; odd and even, and most of the games, 
and many more than those in Mr. Newel's charming, and largely 
original, book entitled, "The Plays and Games of American 
Children," connecting many of them conclusively with the 
sports and pastimes of the English people in the merry olden 
time of Brandt. One maiden lady, whom we all loved, could 
spell "The Abominable Bumble Bee with his Head Cut Off," 
in an inverse House-that -Jack-built fashion, with a most side- 
splitting effect. There was the charming story of the big, 
little and middle sized bear, and I recall the thrill when at the 
turn of the story, "the dog began to worry the cat, the cat 



354 History of Ashfield 

began to kill the rat, the rat began to eat the corn, " etc. There 
were beech- and chestnutting parties; raisings; and days set 
apart for all the men in the district being warned out by the 
surveyor to gather and work on the roads with teams. Work 
was easy, as it was for the town, and stories were plenty. There 
were huskings, with cider and pumpkin pie, and games on the 
bam floor, when it was cleared of com; paring bees, with bob- 
bing, swinging a whole paring thrice around the head, thence 
to fall on the floor in the form of the fancied initial of some 
person of the other sex ; and counting seeds to the familiar dog- 
gerel — "One I love, two I love, three I love I say, four I love 
with all my heart, and five I cast away," etc. Here the apples 
were quartered and strung, and hung in festoons to dry all over 
the kitchen. There were quilting bees for girls about to marry, 
where the men came in the evening and partook of the new 
species of rice pop-corn, served in two large milk pans, with, 
perhaps, the most delicious home-made spruce and wintergreen 
beer. Spelling schools in which the parents took part, and 
where the champion spellers of rural districts, after exhausting 
several spelling books, agreed to spell each other down on an 
abridged Worcester's dictionary. There were weekly evening 
singing schools in winter, and several of us taught ourselves or 
each other to play the accordion, and fiddle by rote, to dance 
single and double shuffle on a board, and the steps of waltz, 
polka and schottische. Even square dances were attempted to 
our own music, if we could get a caller-off. This latter was 
here a stolen sweet, as was the furtive reading of the thrilling 
tales of the New York Ledger, especially those of Sylvanus 
Cobb, sets of which were smuggled around among the boys and 
read after retiring, or in sheep shed, hay mow, or attic, on 
rainy days. I must not forget the rage for trapping and hunt- 
ing, by which we learned much of the habits of crows, hawks, 
muskrats, woodchucks, squirrels, partridges and even foxes, 
and which made us acquainted with wide areas of territory. In 
a regular squirrel hunt organized by choosing sides, and a din- 
ner to the victors paid for by the vanquished party, as deter- 
mined by counting tails, boys of my age were not old enough 
to participate. We made collections, however, for whole sea- 
sons, of heads, legs, wings, and tails, as well as of woods, leaves, 
flowers, stones, bugs, butterflies, etc. 

The dull days in haying time brought another sort of educa- 
tion. The men of the vicinity strolled together into a shed, and 
sitting on tool bench, grindstone, manger, wagons, chopping 
blocks, and hog spouts, discussed crop prices, ditching, wall- 



Pres. G. Stanley Hall's Boy Life in Ashfield 355 

ing, salting cattle, finding springs with witch hazel, taxes, the 
preaching, the next selectmerl, fence-viewer, constable, and, I 
suppose a little earlier, wardens, leather sealers, deer reeves, 
surveyors of shingles and clapboards and of wheat, field drivers, 
tithing men, clerk of the market, and pound-keepers, as 
well as the good brooks and ponds for trouting, or snaring pick- 
erel with brass wire loops and a white-birch-bark light at night, 
and every sort of gossip. The old uncles who came to be the 
heroes of current stories, and who were, in a sense, ideal men, 
were shrewd and sharp, of exceeding few words, but these 
oracular, of most unpromising exteriors and mode of speech, 
with quaint and eccentric ways which made their quintessen- 
tial wisdom very surprising by the contrast; while in weather 
signs and in drugs the old Indian was sometimes the sage. At 
the opposite extreme was the unseasoned fellow who can be 
fooled and not get the best of it if he was ' ' run ' ' or played some 
practical joke. Absurd exaggerations told with a serious air, 
to test the hearer's knowledge or credulity, were the chief in- 
gredients of this lowery-day wit. Thus the ass's head was not 
unfrequently clapped on some poor rich fellow, green from the 
city, or some larger town, suspected of the unpardonable sin of 
being "stuck up." 

In this air a good "nag" has great viability. As a boy here, 
e. g., I often played hunt, snapping a disabled old fiint-lock 
musket at every live thing in field and forest, for which an 
adult neighbor* used to ' ' run ' ' me unmercifully before the whole 
shed. Years after, when I was at home on a college outing, he 
had not forgotten it, and for perhaps a dozen stmimers since I 
have met it. On a recent evening, when walking with a dig- 
nified city friend, he met me with the same old grind, "Hello, 
huntin' much this summer with Philander's old gun?" as he 
slapped his thighs and laughed till the hills rang, and, though 
I did not hear him, I am no less certain that he said to the 
neighbor with him, when they had ridden well by, that I was 
always a pretty middlin' good sort of a fellow after all, and 
wasn't stuck up. The joke will no doubt keep fresh another 
quarter of a century if my friend lives, and there are many 
more of the same kind. Another grind at my expense illus- 
trates the inventive cleverness of this old Yankee type. As 
one of the speakers at an annual dinner in honor of the old town 
Academy, I had been several times introduced as a specimen 
of the former students of the Academy. One night, at the 
crowded post-ofiice, this shrewd old farmer told, in my presence 

*William Bryant. 



356 History of Ashfield 

and for my benefit, the story of old Joe W., who went on the 
road as a drummer for the old tannery. He said Joe had just 
experienced religion, and was just then so all-fired honest that 
he selected, as the samples he was to sell from, pieces of sole 
leather a trifle below the average quality, instead of above, as 
an honest drummer should do. He was afraid to hope that 
Professor N., who presided at the dinner, had experienced re- 
ligion, but leastways he was so all-fired honest that he leaned 
over backwards worse than old Joe in calling me out as a sam- 
ple Academy boy, for although I was middling smart there 
was not a boy of them who wasn't a plaguey sight smarter than 
I was. Another of his stories was of Stephen and Ann. They 
were courting, and she had sat in his lap in the kitchen one 
Sunday evening for some hours, when she suddenly asked if 
he was not tired. He gallantly replied, "Not a mite, Ann, 
keep right on settin'. I was awful tired an hour ago, but now 
I am numb." That is the way he said it was probably with 
my hearers and pupils. 

Then there was the story of old Deacon S., who sold home- 
made cider brandy or twisted cider, at the rate of twenty-five 
cents per gallon, but who always used to get his big thumb 
into the quart measure, which had lost its handle, displacing 
its cubic contents of brandy. There was another tale of Cap- 
tain A., who being cheated in a horse trade by Mr. B., called 
all his sons and grandsons together solemnly, as if for family 
prayers, told them the circumstances, and enjoined them to 
cheat B. back to the amount of six dollars, and if they did not 
live to do it to teach their children and grandchildren to cheat 
his descendants to the end of time ; but a few months later, after 
another trade with B., the captain convened his family again 
to say that the score had been paid with interest, and to release 
them from the covenant. There was the story of Uncle G., 
who began his courtship by "creepin' in, all unbeknown," be- 
hind his best girl, stealing up close behind her as she was 
washing dishes, hat on and chair in hand, with the salute, 
"Well Sal, feel kind 'er sparky to-night?" to which she coquet- 
tishly but encouragingly replied, "Well, I reckon p'raps a 
leetle more sorter than sorter not; " and how at last, the minister 
being away, they rode together on one horse twenty miles 
alone, and were married. There was the legend of old Squire 
v., who used to be a great favorite with the girls. Driving up 
to the town clerk's door one day he told him to have him 
"published" the next Sunday with Miss B. and drove off. 
Soon he returned and desired the name changed to Miss C, 



Pres. G. Stanley Hall's Boy Life in Ashfield 357 

and finally, after several changes and some minutes of profound 
deliberation, settled on Miss H., whom he married. There 
was the tale of the turning of the Deerfield River by the two 
great but mystic ancestors of one family in town. It once 
flowed down the gap in Mr. P.'s pasture, through the pond 
and over the plain of the village, and was stipulated as the 
northern boundary of the possessions of these pioneers. They 
were ambitious, and had noticed that new settlers and their 
depredations followed rivers, so they hired hundreds of Indians 
to dig with sharpened sticks, day and night, one entire sum- 
mer, till the stream at length washed over down a more north- 
erly valley so suddenly as to sweep away the dusky maiden 
beloved by one of the pioneers; with many other romantic in- 
cidents. There was the story of the old horse jockey G., who 
in his travels found a negro of great strength but so simple as 
to agree to work for him a hundred years, on the expiration of 
which time the old jockey was to give him all the property and 
serve him a century; and who cured him of the inveterate 
habit of sucking eggs by showing him a dozen, apparently 
freshly laid, in his bed one morning just after he had risen, 
and frightening him out of the practice by convincing him that 
he had laid the eggs while he slept. There was the story of 
the old cat ground up in the mill with dreadful caterwaulings, 
and of the two bushels of good rye required to grind the mill- 
stones clean again. Another, was of the case, famous in his- 
tory, of the non-conforming Baptist deacon who would not pay 
his town tax to support the Congregational preaching, and 
whose apple trees were dug up by the constable and sold for 
payment; of the Deacon's going to Boston to the General 
Court, and of his return with a barrel of cider brandy drawn 
on two poles strapped together, one end of each in the hold- 
backs and the other end dragging on the ground. There were 
stories of a noted lady pioneer in the cause of female education, 
who solicited domestic utensils and produce of every kind for a 
young ladies' seminary, following the men into stable and around 
hay mow in her quest; of old Nightingale, suspected of witch- 
craft, who lived apart and was buried outside the cemetery; 
of old Sloper, who had no friends, and vanished so mysteri- 
ously that gradually a detailed story of his murder by a promi- 
nent, but not beloved, citizen was evolved; of the old church, 
stone cold in winter, with two services and sermons from ten to 
four, and in summer with the rocks black at nooning with 
people, mostly members in close communion, eating their 
Sunday dinner, and picking caraway or meetin'-seed; of the 



358 History of Ashfield 

waste of timber, or the greed of individuals in shacking hogs 
on the then extensive undivided land or common, and even of the 
secular variations of the compass to account for the disparity 
between the old surveys of boundary lines and new ones. 

Evenings in the kitchen were spent in light work and gossip 
unremitting. Candles, in olden times before cotton, it is said, 
were made by loosely spinning tow-wicking. Candle rods 
were then whittled out or cut from cat-tails, on which wicking 
for a dozen candles was put, and they were hung over the back 
of an old, high, straight-backed chair tipped down, and dipped 
every few minutes in beef, or better, mutton tallow melted in 
the tin boiler. Of course candles grew faster on cold days, but 
were more likely to crack. Good iron candlesticks were rare, 
and at balls and parties potatoes were used, and wooden blocks. 
The evolution, I have heard, was first a "slut" or linen rag in 
fat, or a bowl of woodchuck's oil with a floating wick through 
a wooden button. Later came a square strip of fat pork with 
a thin sliver of wood thrust through to stiffen it and serve as a 
wick. Fire could still be made by friction of wood in an emer- 
gency. The best-raked fire would sometimes go out, and then 
fire must be borrowed from a neighbor. Those who wished to 
be independent obtained tinder-boxes with flint and iron, 
smudged tow and punk. Home-made matches, with brimstone 
and saltpetre, would catch readily, but friction matches were a 
great novelty. One of these friction matches, also home-made, 
of spruce lumber, by the boys, was "drawed" by their incredu- 
lous father, who, when he found it would really go, put it care- 
fully in his pocket for future use. 

The ideal hearth and fireplace of olden times (restored at 
Plymouth, and especially at Deerfield, Mass., by George Shel- 
don) was indeed the centre about which the whole family sys- 
tem revolved. On the swinging crane, evolved from the ear- 
lier wooden lug-pole, hung from pot-hooks, chains and tram- 
mels, several species of iron pots and brass kettles, in front of 
a green back-log, so big and long that it was sometimes snaked 
in by a horse. Below, attached to the upright part of the and- 
irons, was the turnspit-dog, revolved by hand, and sometimes, 
at a later date, by clockwork, for fancy roasts. There were 
roasters and dripping pans, and the three-legged spider, in 
which bread was baked, first on the bottom and then, tipped 
up to the coals, or else the top was done by a heavy red-hot 
iron cover. Here rye used to be roasted and mortared for 
coffee, which was later boiled in water and maple molasses. 
On the shelf or beam above the fire stood the foot stove, a horn 



Pres. G. Stanley Hall's Boy Life in Ashfield 359 

of long and another of short paper lamplighters; a sausage 
stuff er; tin lanthom; mortar; chafing dish; runlet; noggin; 
flatirons, perhaps of new fashion, hollowed for hot iron chunks; 
tinder-box ; tankard ; and coffee pots ; and high above all a bayo- 
neted flint gun or two, with belt, bayonet sheath, brush and 
primer. Overhead on the pole hung always a hat or cap on 
the end, and perhaps a haunch of dried beef, with possibly a 
ham, a calf's rennet stretched with a springy willow stick in- 
side ; pumpkins cut into long ringlets ; bundles of red peppers ; 
braided seed com and dried apples, the latter also perhaps half 
covering the roof and south side of the house. About the fire- 
place stood or hung the bed-warmer, the tongs, and long "slice, " 
a hollow gourd or crooked-necked squash; candle holders with 
long tin reflectors; bellows; woolen holders; toasting irons; 
smoking tongs ; pewter porringer ; spoon moulds ; trivet ; skillet 
and piggin ; a tin kitchen ; a tin baker and steamer ; a flip iron ; 
the big dye tub always in the comer, and the high-backed settle 
in front. Near by stood the cupboard, displaying the best 
blue crockery, and the pewter, kept bright by scouring with 
horsetails (equisetum) ; sealed measures, and a few liquids, and 
perhaps near by a pumpkin Jack-o'-lantern, with an expression 
when it was lighted in the dark as hideous as that of the head 
of an Alaskan totem-post. 

The grandma was both nurse and doctor, and the children 
had to gather for her each year a supply of herbs. Chief 
among these were pennyroyal, tansy, spearmint, peppermint, 
catnip, thorough wort, motherwort, liverwort, mugwort, ele- 
campane, opodeldoc, burdock, mayweed, dogweed, fireweed, 
ragweed, pokeweed, aconite, arnica, scratch-grass, valerian, 
lobelia, larkspur, mullein, mallow, plantain, foxglove or night- 
shade, osier, fennel, sorrel, comfrey, rue, saffron, flag, anise, 
snakeroot, yarrow, balmony, tag alder, witch-hazel, and blood- 
root. Each of these, and many more, had specific medicinal 
properties, and hung in rows of dried bunches in the attic, and 
all grew in Ashfield. In Mr. Cockayne's "Leechdom, Wort- 
cunning and Starcraft," a remarkable collection of Anglo-Saxon 
medical prescriptions, I have identified the same symptoms for 
which the same herb was the specific, showing how this un- 
written medical lore, as Mr. Mooney calls it in his interesting 
pamphlet, survives and persists unchanged. 

The attic floor was covered a foot deep with corn on the ear, 
to be shelled winter evenings by scraping across the back of a 
knife driven into a board; the cobs being fed out to stock, or 
used for baking and smoking fires. Here, too, were tins and 



360 History of Ashfield 

boxes, and barrels of rye and barley, and, later, oats, wheat 
and buckwheat. In the comer stood, or hung, perhaps, a 
hand-winnower, a tub of frozen cider apple sauce, an old hat 
and wig block, a few woodchucks' skins to be made into whip- 
lashes, a coon skin for a cap, a hand-still for making cider 
brandy or twisted cider. So, too, the cellar, shed, hog-house, 
bam, sheep and horse bam, sugar-house and corn-house, were 
stored with objects of perennial interest to boys. 

The "sense of progress," which a recent psychological writer 
calls a special, though lately evolved, sense, was by no means 
undeveloped. Men loved to tell of old times, when maple sap 
was caught in rough troughs made with an axe, and stored by 
being simply turned in their places; to show the marks on old 
maple trees, where their grandfathers tapped by chipping with 
a hatchet and driving in a bass-wood spout made at a blow 
with the same iron gouge that prepared for its insertion, and 
to describe how, later, the rough unpainted tubs with unbarked 
hoops and, because smaller at the top, so hard to store and 
carry, and so liable to burst by the expansion of the ice on 
freezing, were superseded by the Shaker pails. The old days 
when sap was gathered by hand with a sap yoke, and stored 
in long troughs and boiled out of doors in a row of kettles on 
a pole or crotches, were talked over, with complacent pity, 
perhaps, while modern pans on a new arch and in a new sugar- 
house were kept going all night during a big run which had filled 
every tun and hogshead, while the best trees were running over. 

Hour-glasses, especially to spin by, and dials, were some- 
times used, and there were many noon -marks at intervals over 
the farm. In many families, even where coal and kerosene 
stoves are used, along with wood, oven-wood is still cut for the 
old brick oven, which Christmas time, at least, if not once 
every week or two through the winter, is heated, and then 
swept out with a wet birch broom. First, the rye and Indian 
bread is made up in a bread trough and then put on the broad, 
meal-sprinkled peel, with hands dipped in water to avoid stick- 
ing, and very dexterously thrown in haycock and windrow 
shapes, perhaps on cabbage leaves, on to the bottom of the 
oven. When this was done it was still so hot that pies could 
be baked, and last of all, a bushel of apples was thrown in and 
the week's baking was over. Many could then tell of the time 
when, with pudding or mashed potatoes and milk for the meal, 
no table was set, but each took a bowl of milk and helped him- 
self from the kettle on the stone ; or again, the family gathered 
about the well-scoured table, with no individual plates or 



Pres. G. Stanley Hall's Boy Life in Ashfield 361 

butter knives, or waiting on the table, but each took a slice of 
bread and helped himself from the meat dish, or dipped the 
brown bread into the pork fat with forks. Wooden, pewter, 
then earthen plates, was the order of evolution. So, in the 
dairy, milk used to be set in wooden trays, then in thick, 
brown earthen bowls, before the modem milk-pans came into 
vogue. The evolution of the skimmer from the clam shell, 
through a rough wooden skimmer; of churning, from a bowl 
and paddle on to the old dasher chum; of straining milk, from 
the linen rag strainer, up; of bails, from the ear and peg 
fashion, on; the history of the artistic forms of butter balls, 
and the stamps used; the very gradual development of the 
scythe-snath, which no artist ever represents correctly, to the 
present highly physiological and very sharply discriminated 
forms, as well as of the hoe and pitchfork; why are not these 
and the growth of the com-sheller, hen-coop, plough, mop, 
the story of the penstock, the broom, from a bush or bundle of 
twigs, up through the birch broom with fibres stripped both 
up and down; of window transparencies, from the hole and 
oiled paper, etc., as scientific anthropological theines, as the 
evolution of the fish-hook, arrow-head and spear? Why is not 
the old soap-making process, with the lye, strong enough to 
support an egg, dripping from the ash barrel on the circularly 
grooved board or stone, and the out-of-doors boiling and basket 
straining, etc. ; why is not the old-fashioned semi-annual geese- 
picking day, with the big apron, great vase-shaped goose basket, 
and the baby's stocking drawn over the goose's head to keep 
it from biting; why is not cheese making, when the milk from 
three families was gathered in a big tub, coagulated with a 
calf's rennet, broken up into curds and whey by the fingers, 
scalded, chopped, salted, perhaps saged, hooped, turned, and 
pared of those delicious curds, and daily greased all summer; 
why is not the high festivity of road breaking in winter, when 
all the men and oxen in the neighborhood, often twenty yokes 
of oxen in one team, turned out after a long storm and blow to 
break out the roads which the town had not discontinued for 
the winter, to church, stores, doctor and school, when steers 
were broken in, sandwiched between the yokes of old cattle, 
where often up to their backs in a drift, with a sled to which 
ploughs were chained to each side and a dozen men and boys 
on it, they could only wait, frightened and with lolling tongue, 
to be shoveled out; why are not the antique ceremonies and 
sequelae of butchering day, and the fun and games with pluck 
and lights and sausages, which city-bred boys were told, and 



362 History of Ashfield 

said to believe, are caught like fish; the process of making 
pearl-ash and birch vinegar ; cider-making ; the manifold sum- 
mer beers and other domestic drinks, etc., quite as worthy of 
investigation, of illustration in museums, as the no more rap- 
idly vanishing customs of savage tribes? 

At the place and time of which I write many domestic indus- 
tries were more or less specialized. Farmers' sons often went 
away to learn trades. Broom making, e. g., was the evening 
occupation of one member of the family I knew, and I saw the 
process of planting, breaking, tabling, hatchelling, for the seed 
was worth about the price of oats, bleaching with brimstone in 
a big down cellar, etc. Tying was the most interesting pro- 
cess. It included arranging the hurls, braiding down the stalks 
on the handle with wire, pressing in the great vise, and sewing 
with a six-inch needle, thimbled through by leather palms. I 
was allowed to sandpaper the handles, and once, in a time of 
stress, when a man was making forty plain Shaker brooms per 
day, even to put on the gold leaf. The local tanner allowed us 
to run among his vats, and see the hides salted, pickled, washed 
and limed, and, best of all, skived over the big beam. Last 
summer this tanner told me he believed his eighteen months in 
tanning an ox hide and the six weeks required by modem 
chemical methods, represented about the relative durability of 
the two leathers. His trade has lasted on, despite such com- 
petition, because his townsmen have something the same idea. 
Within boy-range, too, was a cooper's shop, a gunsmith, a 
family who made baskets, a small carding mill, turning shops 
where wooden spoons, bowls, sieve rims, pen handles, plain 
broom handles, etc., were made, a general tinker and solderer, 
besides carpenters, blacksmiths, shoe and harness makers. 
Some farmers specialized more or less, in sheep; others in 
young cattle, or pigs and horses. Some were always lucky 
with corn, others with rye or wheat, buckwheat, potatoes, 
grass, etc., to which they had mainly settled after much ex- 
periment, or to which the traditions of the farm or family in- 
clined them. Thus, in fine, there were many grades of prog- 
ress and versatility. Many of these old home industries I can 
still practice and have added to them by "lessons" in Ger- 
many. All come handy in the laboratory. I know I could 
make soap, maple sugar, a pair of shoes, braid a palm leaf hat, 
spin, put in and weave a piece of f rocking or a rag carpet, do 
crude carpentry, farm and dairy work, and I envy the pupils 
at Tuskegee who can do more of these things and better than I. 

I have alluded to but few of the occupations of these people. 



Pres. G. Stanley Hall's Boy Life in Ashfield 363 

Their commonest industries — planting, fertilizing, gathering 
each crop — have been revolutionized by machinery and artifi- 
cial fertilization within twenty -five years. These, and their 
religion and beliefs, and domestic social customs, methods of 
doing their small business, are all fast changing. The women 
are haggard and worn with their work, the men are sometimes 
shiftless, and children are very rare. The heart of these coin- 
munities has left it, and only the shell remains. The quaint, 
eccentric characters that abound in these towns, types of which 
may be found faithfully depicted by Mary E. Wilkins or in 
Mary B. Claflin's "Brampton Sketches," or in a few of the 
sketches in "Profitable Tales," by Eugene Field, are for the 
most part types of degeneration well recognized by alienists and 
characterized by Morel. These are quite different from the no 
less rustic characters in De Gaspe's "Old Canadians, or the 
work of Du Pray's School. " Life then and there, although per- 
haps a century or more later than that described in the books 
of Alice Morse Earle, did not differ much from it. Did the 
earlier generations work too hard in digging stumps and stones, 
and laying the hundreds of miles of heavy stone wall and clear- 
ing the timber ? Were the conditions of life too severe ? Is our 
race not adapted to the new conditions of climate, soil, water, 
and, as Dr. Jarvis said, is it still a problem whether the Anglo- 
Saxon race can thrive in its new American home, or is this 
but an incident, an eddy in the great onward current of prog- 
ress? I have no answer, but I know nothing more sad in our 
American life than the decay of these townlets. 

Nowhere has the great middle class been so all-controlling, 
furnished so large a proportion of scientific and business lead- 
ers, been so respectable, so well combined industry with 
wealth, bred patriotism, conservatism and independence. The 
farm was a great laboratory, tending, perhaps, rather more to 
develop scientific than literary tastes, cultivating persistency, 
in which country boys excel, if at the expense of versatility. 
It is, says Professor Brewer, the question with city parents what 
useful thing the children can do; while in the country, where 
they are in great demand on the farm they are, in a sense, 
members of the firm. Evenings are not dangerous to morality, 
but are turned to good account, while during the rowdy or ado- 
lescent age the boy tendency to revert to savagery can find 
harmless vent in hunting, trapping, and other ways less injuri- 
ous to morals than the customs of city life. 

Some such training the heroes of 76 had; the independent 
conditions of communities like this was just the reverse of that 



364 History of Ashfield 

of the South at the outbreak of the RebelHon; such a people 
cannot be conquered, for war and blockade would only drive 
them back to more primitive conditions ; and restore the old in- 
dependence of foreign and even domestic markets. Again, 
should we ever have occasion to educate colonists, as England 
is now attempting, we could not do so better than by reviving 
conditions of life like these. 

I close by mentioning an interesting new educational experi- 
ment, as a bright spot in this sombre present, which was some- 
what feebly but happily tried in Ashfield, as a result of the 
recently awakened interest in its own antiquities. A prominent 
citizen, once a teacher, has studied from sources largely un- 
printed the history of the town, which connects it with the 
Revolution, and even the French and Indian wars, and on the 
lines of an old map he has made of the original town surveys, gave 
an hour per week during part of a winter in teaching history, 
from a local standpoint in the little academy, with its score of 
pupils, and adding many of the antiquities such as this paper 
has referred to, with free use of the museum, and all with ex- 
cellent results. A village pastor, who is an excellent botanist, 
took the class a few times each year on excursions, and the 
older girls have gathered and pressed for him in a school mu- 
seum all the Ashfield plants and grasses, on the basis of which 
he taught a little botany gratuitously. The Doctor cooper- 
ated with them and talked on physiology and hygiene, and 
brought his microscope and other instruments. A student of 
an agricultural college has gathered all the Ashfield rocks and 
minerals and taught geology. He has gathered cabinets of the 
local animals, birds, eggs, butterflies, and insects, which a 
summer resident makes a basis of some instruction. A sum- 
mer boarder was drafted in to teach drawing to all comers half 
a day per week. This experiment, in what I consider cooper- 
ative education, begins at home, with what is nearest and often 
despised. The local Faculty about the teacher give but little 
time, but their teaching is full of interest and stimulus. They 
strengthen the teacher whom they really guide, and bring 
home and school nearer together. This new curriculum is 
without expense, and altogether may prove a suggestive nov- 
elty. To-day old domestic industries of the age of the tinder- 
box and stone milk pan and niddy-noddy are taught by a spe- 
cialist to history classes from the city schools in turn, by Miss 
H. B. Merrill, in a central museum of American antiquities in 
Milwaukee. 



CHAPTER XXIII 

PHYSICIANS, SECRET SOCIETIES, ETC. 

A large number of physicians have practised in the town ; of 
these the first was Dr. Phineas Bartlett, who is mentioned in the 
town records as early as 1766, and who remained in practice until 
the time of his death in 1799. After visiting a patient he fell 
from his horse and died in a fit. In 1793, he built the house 
now occupied by Professor Norton's family. He was largely 
identified with public affairs, represented the town in the General 
Court, was town clerk a great many years and filled other posi- 
tions of responsibility. His sudden death was greatly lamented. 

A contemporary of Dr. Bartlett was Dr. Moses Hayden, who 
was in practice in 1766, and perhaps earlier. He lived at South 
Ashfield, was in practice about fifteen years, and removed to 
Conway. 

The next physician was Dr. Francis Mantor, a relative of 
Dana Graves, who was in practice at the close of the last cen- 
tury. Dr. Enos Smith probably came next, and was in practice 
many years. He lived on the Plain where Amos Daniels now 
lives, also at the Miss Sedgwick place, later, on the "Flat." 
About the same time as Dr. Smith, Dr. Rivera Nash engaged in 
practice in the town. Dr. David Dickenson was also here con- 
temporaneously with Drs. Smith and Nash. 

Dr. Cornelius Luce was in practice about 1810 for a few years, 
and lived at the north end of lot No. 18, probably in the hollow 
near the old mill. Dr. William A. Hamilton followed a little 
later. Then came Dr. Atherton Clark, who married a daughter 
of Dr. Smith, and first engaged in practice in the town about 
1816. He also lived where Amos Daniels now resides, and was 
in practice many years. William S. Clark, a former president of 
Amherst Agricultural College, was a son of Dr. Clark. 

Dr. Jared Bement also married a daughter of Dr. Smith, and 
engaged in practice in 1830-33. He resided where Albert 
Crafts, Jr., now lives. Dr. Charles Knowlton and Dr. Roswell 



366 History of Ashfield 

Shepard were in practice about the same time, — the latter for 
a few years only. They were in partnership for a time. Dr. 
Knowlton remained in town and died in 1850.* He lived in 
what is now the Sedgwick house, and his office was near where 
the Flower house now stands. He was succeeded by his son. Dr. 
Charles L. Knowlton, who removed to Northampton in 1868, 
where he died in 1898, and was buried in Ashfield with his 
family. 

Dr. Bement was succeeded by Dr. Milo Wilson, to whom he 
disposed of his business about 1838. Dr. Sidney R. Brooks, a 
native of Buckland, bought the homestead and practice of Dr. 
Wilson in 1845. He remained until 1855. While here he built 
the two houses now occupied by Joseph Green and Hugh Wing. 
He married a daughter of Dea. Asa Sanderson. 

Dr. Stephen W. Tabor studied medicine with Dr. Knowlton 
about 1840, married his daughter, and practiced here a few 
years. He went to Shelbume Falls, then to Independence, Iowa, 
where he became a judge. He was afterwards appointed auditor 
in the Treasury Department at Washington. 

Dr. James R. Fairbanks, a native of Pittsfield, subsequently 
engaged in practice in Connecticut, succeeded Dr. Charles 
L. Knowlton in Ashfield in the spring of 1868. He remained in 
town until 1879, when he sold out his residence and practice to 
Dr. Geo. R. Fessenden, a graduate of Harvard, who had prac- 
ticed in Plainfield a short time before coming here. 

Dr. John E. Urquhart, a graduate of Maryland University, 
came here in 1887. Both Fessenden and Urquhart still remain 
in town, each having a large and lucrative practice. 

Other physicians have been in town for a short time. A Dr. 
King was in practice for about two years in South Ashfield, and 
a Dr. Lee died in town in 1816, after a short practice. 

Dr. Enos Smith was here probably longer than any other 
physician. He was a graduate of Dartmouth, was considered 
not only a good physician but a man of excellent business ability. 



*The only living descendant of Dr. Knowlton is a granddaughter, Mrs. 
Dora Knowlton Thompson Ranous, now engaged in literary work in New 
York City. 



Physicians, Secret Societies, Etc. 367 

He was sent as representative five times and served as state 
senator. He was a man of large physique, with a strong voice and 
a quick and sharp repartee. He had a good practice, but his 
pent-up energy reached outside of his profession. He owned a 
large amount of land at times and quite a flock of sheep. During 
the fine wool craze he paid $200 for a merino buck with which 
to improve his own and the stock of the town. Many stories are 
told of his peculiarities. Being called to see a patient in a crit- 
ical condition, while holding the pulse of the sick one, the 
husband and others of the family waiting in breathless suspense, 
he suddenly broke silence by saying in his quick, sharp voice, 
"Esquire White, have you seen my new merino? One of the 
finest sheep in the state, sir. Call up and see him some day, 
sir. " Another of his side enterprises was the starting of a small 
grocery when he lived in the house now occupied by Mr. Daniels. 
Going into the cellar one day to fill a jug with molasses, he 
received a hurried call from above. As it was cold weather the 
fluid ran slowly and he left it to answer. It proved to be an 
important case where a doctor was needed at once, and for- 
getting the matter below, he promptly obeyed the summons. 
Later, on returning, he thought of the molasses and going into 
the cellar found the jug full, the barrel empty, and the cellar 
bottom thickly covered with the sticky substance. The doctor 
ejaculated, "It don't pay for a man to have too many businesses, 
sir. Ready to sell the grocery at once, sir. " He liked at times 
to go out among his hired men to enliven the labors of the field 
himself. One afternoon he went out to load the hay on a wagon. 
In his characteristic way of wanting matters to move lively, he 
began to call," More hay, sir, more hay, sir. " Soon coming to a 
place where the tumbles were nearer together the pitcher threw 
the hay up so fast the loader could not take care of it, although 
still crying, " More hay, sir. " Finally, his quarters becoming so 
contracted, he slid to the ground. "Doctor," said the pitcher, 
"what are you down here after ? " " More hay, sir, ' ' was the reply. 

One of his daughters married William Hawkes, and was 
grandmother of the blind writer, Clarence Hawkes, also great- 
grandmother of Rev. Albert Howes of Fitzwilliam, N. H. 



368 History of Ashfield 

Dr. Charles Knowlton was born in 1800 at Templeton, Mass., 
married in 1821 and graduated at Hanover Medical College in 
1824. He began practice in Hawley at " Poverty Square, " then 
a thriving village, and moved to Ashfield in the early thirties. 
He was a "free thinker" and was outspoken against the stem 
theology of the day. The Congregational minister and a portion 
of his church were very bitter against him for his belief and also 
because of a book he had published, believed to be injurious to 
the morals of the community. A portion of the church favored 
the doctor and the result was a serious schism in the church. 
He was esteemed a skillful physician and had a very large 
practice. After his death, his son Charles L., who had begun 
practice in the town of Worthington, was induced to return to 
this town. He was here about eighteen years, when deeming the 
long and hard rides too much for his health he decided to remove 
to Northampton. A good story is told in connection with this 
removal. A petition was circulated requesting him to remain, 
and obtained a large number of signatures. It so happened that 
one of the men most active in circulating the petition was the 
town undertaker, but nobody saw the joke until he presented it 
to the doctor, who said at once, "I suppose you thought it 
would help your business for me to stay in town. " 

Dr. Shepard mentions that during the length of time he kept the 
death record about 50% died of consumption. By consulting 
the death record of the past ten years and summing up all the 
lung and throat diseases under dififerent names which formerly 
might have been called consumption there is probably now less 
than 15% instead of 50. 

We find mention of only two cases of small pox in town. In 
1824, Simeon Wait, who had been on a peddling trip to York 
State, returned home sick with the disease. He was confined in 
an old house which stood on the hill about a hundred rods south 
of the Farragut house, where he died. His solitary grave may 
be seen in the mowing lot below the road leading to George 
Ward's house. In 1850, a daughter of Mrs. Marvin Williams, 
who lived in the house now owned by Mrs. Prouty at the east 
end of the street, came home from Springfield sick with what 



Physicians, Secret Societies, Etc. 369 

was called measles but proved to be the small pox. Several 
people were exposed and two other families lived in the house. 
The town spent $223 in trying to prevent the spread of the 
disease and in aid to the family. Passengers in the stage ob- 
jected to riding past the house, so it was obliged to go up the 
Norton hill and down the Goodwin road past the hill cemetery. 
Mr. Albert Crafts says that one evening, as a tenant of the in- 
fected house came into the front of the store, two other villagers 
who were sitting by the stove quickly made their escape through 
a back window. The patient died and was secretly buried in a 
comer of the old cemetery. Fortunately there were no more 
cases. 

In 1867, a strange epidemic of typhoid dysentery prevailed 
among the children at Beldenville in the northeast part of the 
town. Thomas Kelley lost all his children, three boys from three 
to sixteen, within a week. Stephen Sears, his next neighbor, 
lost a boy and girl of fifteen and nine, and Alonzo Eldredge, a 
boy of nine, leaving the three families childless. Clark Bardwell 
also lost a five year old boy, making seven children in one small 
neighborhood in the space of about five weeks. 

SECRET societies 

December 23, 1826, a Masonic Lodge was organized in this 
town by Rev. Titus Strong of Greenfield, meeting at John 
Williams' tavern. Rev. Orra Martin was chosen Master, Horace 
B. Childs, Senior Warden, Samuel P. Fuller, Junior Warden, 
Roswell Ranney, Treasurer, Jonathan Lilly, Jr., Secretary, Sal- 
mon Mather, Senior Deacon, Horace Cole, Junior Deacon, Aus- 
tin Lilly and Luther Ward, Stewards, Seth Hall, Tyler, and 
Samuel Lee, Marshal. 

The Lodge was removed to Conway in 1830, and after a few 
years the charter was given up, but upon petition, it was re- 
stored again in 1869, forming the present Lodge which now 
exists there. 

The Master of the Ashfield Lodge was a Baptist minister at 
South Ashfield, and it seems that the church in the north part 



370 History of Ashfield 

of the town differed from their ministerial brother, as the follow- 
ing records on their books show : 

April 25, 1827. After consulting about the Freemasons, 
voted that it is a burden to the Church that any of its members 
should be of that order. 

At a church meeting, June 25. Voted again, that it is a 
grief for any member to belong to the Freemasons. Five mem- 
bers including the Elder, voted that they have no fellowship 
with the Freemasons. 

August 27. We find that many things creep into the Church 
hurtful to the minds of some ; one in particular concerning the 
Freemasons, which causes uneasiness for a member to join that 
order; and as there is some of that order who are members of 
our Church, we view it as a duty, as a body, to let it be known 
throughout the Church, that we think it will be for the union of 
the Church and for the honor of religion, for those members of 
the Masonic order not to meet with the lodge, to the grief of 
their brethren, which if they do, they may expect it will cause a 
labour if not a discipline with them. And, if any member here- 
after should join the Freemasons, knowing that it is a grief to 
the Church, it should be considered just grounds for the Church 
to excommunicate them. 

The Anti-Masonic feeling, caused by the disappearance of 
Morgan, was very strong about this time.* 

The secret organization called the Native American or Know 
Nothing party formed here in 1853 has been spoken of on 
another page. 

A Grange was organized here in January, 1875, with A. L. 
Richmond as Master and Levi Gardner, Secretary, soon after- 
wards succeeded by Emory D. Church who apparently filled 
that office during the life of the organization. There were evi- 
dently over fifty members, but the records ceased in less than 
three years and its charter was surrendered to the State Grange. 
It is said one reason for its early death was the failure of 
their cooperation plan, as a small store which they had started 
proved a losing venture. In 1900, another Grange was organ- 
ized, or rather the old one was revived, and has been success- 



*The masters' gavel used in the old Ashfield Masonic Lodge is preserved 
in the Conway lodge. 



Physicians, Secret Societies, Etc. 371 

fully carried on for ten years. There are at present about a 
hundred and twenty members. 

the shakers in ashfield 

In his Historical Sketch, Dr. Shepard speaks of the "vagrant 
religious fanatics called Tremblers" being in the North part of 
the town in 1781. The old records would indicate that they 
were here one year later. At a meeting held February 7, 1782, 
it was voted, as Dr. Shepard quotes, "That the selectmen be 
requested to warn said straggling Tremblers now in town and 
those that shall come in hereafter to depart in twenty-four hours 
or expect trouble." At an adjourned meeting March 19, a 
Committee of Safety was chosen and then it was "Voted to 
instruct the above selected committee to warn the Straglin 
Quaquars to depart the town immediately." Mr. Curtis and 
Rev. Mr. Huntington were greatly interested in this old record 
and as to who these "Tremblers" or "Straglin Quaquars," as 
they were called in the record, were, and Mr. Curtis proposed to 
investigate, but he died soon after. Subsequent investigation 
found that the oldest people knew but little of this sect. Mr. 
Erastus Elmer, over ninety years of age, had heard his mother 
speak of their living on the old road east of the Samuel Hale 
place in Baptist Corner, also on the locust knoll south of the 
house where Samuel Hale now lives. An old well is there which 
has always been called the old Shaker well. Mrs. Abram 
Shippee and Mrs. Samuel Hale, Sr., confirmed this account. 
Mr. Elmer said they were presided over by a woman called the 
"Eleck" (elect) lady. Some thought she was a witch. Mr. 
Marcus Parker said his father and his neighbor. Uncle Abner 
Kelley, went from Cape Street over to Baptist Comer, some 
six miles, to attend one of their meetings. Said that "when the 
meeting got well a-going, most everybody shook, but father 
didn't shake." 

The records of the old Baptist Church in March, 1782, give 
the names of a number of persons who were "rejected by the 
church," and their names are found afterwards on the lists of 
those joining the Shakers from Ashfield. Of the origin of this 



372 History of Ashfield 

sect and the length of their sojourn little could be ascertained 
here, but from histories and from old Shaker books the following 
is gleaned: 

In 1770, "Mother" Ann Lee became the head of the Shaking 
Quakers in England. In 1774, with a number of her leading 
followers, she emigrated to the United States. In 1776, they 
settled in Watervliet, near Albany, starting a religious colony 
there. In May, 1781, Mother Ann with three elders and two 
female friends started on a missionary tour to the east. They 
entered Massachusetts at Sheffield ; then passed over the moun- 
tain into the town of Enfield, Connecticut, where by the Shaker 
account they spent a week teaching and preaching, and though 
threatened with violence by the "ungodly" they finally pro- 
ceeded on their way unmolested to the town of Harvard, Mass. 
Here and in the adjoining town of Shirley they remained through 
the summer, where as the Shaker records say, "They spared no 
pains day or night teaching and instructing the people." It is 
evident they gained quite a following there and there was much 
opposition, so much that in January they were forcibly driven 
from the town and proceeded to Enfield again, where after 
a brief stay and making unsuccessful attempts to hold meetings, 
they were driven from the town. They then crossed the river, 
went up to West Springfield, recrossed the river, briefly visited 
a few believers in Granby and Montague, then passing on to 
Ashfield "tarried at the house of Asa Bacon. " 

There is some confusion in the Shaker accounts, some saying 
they arrived here in March, but the town record plainly shows 
they were here in February. "Here," the records say, "they 
were away from the claims of riotous mobs, and the retreat 
seemed like a great blessing of God." 

The two votes of February 7 and March 17 were not very 
thoroughly carried out, for the Shakers record they did not 
leave town until the 20th of May. They then returned to 
Harvard and stayed until September when they were driven 
from the town with violence, several being whipped and one 
having his arm broken. They visited various towns in Connecti- 
cut, including Enfield where they were again mobbed while 



Physicians, Secret Societies, Etc. 373 

attempting to hold meetings, and left there, finally, about 
the first of November, bringing up at Ashfield again, "where by- 
invitation they accepted a home at the house of Asa Bacon 
where they remained until the following spring." Here they 
held meetings through the winter, also at Shelbume Falls at the 
house of Jonathan Wood, a three-story house that stood just 
back of the present hotel. It was afterwards called the "Old 
Shaker House" and was torn down in 1854. 

The Shaker accounts of the meetings held are apparently 
exaggerated. They say "At one meeting at Asa Bacon's there 
were sixty sleighs and six hundred people — counted by John 
Farrington, by Mother's order." The meetings are described, 
"Great manifestations of the power of God and great purging 
among the people." 

In March there was evidently a determination to clean out 
the disturbers, for the Shaker accounts say that a mob of fifty 
came over from Shelbume headed by Col. David Wells and met 
a delegation from Ashfield headed by Capt. Thomas Stocking. 
They convened at Chileab Smith's tavern just north of the 
comer above Houghton vSmith's. They wanted " Mother" to go 
with them to Phillips' tavern near the center for a hearing, 
probably because Mr. Phillips was the leading justice in town, 
but his house was not a tavern near the center. It was a private 
house standing nearly opposite to where Mr. Levant Gray now 
lives. The town records give Captain Stocking as one of the 
constables that year. The Shaker account goes on to say that 
after a conference at the tavern, a committee was chosen, one of 
whom was Mrs. Smith and Colonel Wells another, and this 
committee proceeded to the house of Asa Bacon for the purpose 
of interviewing the "Mother. " A full report of the conference 
is given in the Shaker "Testimonies" with the conversation 
between "Mother" and the Committee which represents 
"Mother" as having decidedly the best of the argument, and 
ending with a sharp reprimand from her. The result was that 
the "mob" departed without any "riotous demonstrations." 
The last of April, 1783, they left town. 

Some of the parting words of Mother Ann to the people of 



374 ' History of Ashfield 

Ashfield are thus recorded: "It is now spring of the year and 
you have all been taught the way of God ; and now you may all 
go home and be faithful with your hands. Every faithful man 
will go forth and put up his fences in season, and will plow his 
ground in season, and will put his crops into the ground in sea- 
son, and such a man may with confidence look for a blessing. " 

The Shakers proceeded from here to Harvard, from which 
place they were again forcibly driven in July. They then slowly 
wended their journey towards York State, endeavoring to hold 
meetings on the way, but in almost every instance they were 
broken up by interference of the inhabitants. 

Mother Ann died at Watervliet, September 8, 1784, aged 
forty -nine. 

Is it not to the credit of Ashfield and Shelbume that they 
were thus tolerant toward these people who were so sorely 
abused elsewhere ? 

A more extended account of the Shakers in Ashfield may be 
found in a paper by F. G. Howes read before the P. V. M. A., 
February 23, 1909, and now on file in the Transactions of that 
Society, Vol. V. 

MILLERISM IN ASHFIELD 

Ashfield did not escape the tide of this sect that spread over 
the land in the forties. There are people living in town who well 
remember the visits of lecturers and itinerant preachers for the 
purpose of proving the speedy destruction of the world. They 
had meetings over Mr. Jasper Bement's store, also in the town 
hall where by means of charts and a blackboard they proved 
to the satisfaction of those who were disposed to believe it, 
that the world would certainly come to an end soon, and they 
obtained quite a little following here. Later, exact dates were 
fixed for the event, and a goodly number of the faithful had 
ascension robes prepared. It was even said by some of the 
irreverent outsiders that there was quite a discussion among the 
believers as to the material, cut and size of the garment to be 
worn on the occasion, and not a little envy that some had richer 
robes than others. A story is told of Uncle Joe Manning, the 



Physicians, Secret Societies, Etc. 375 

whitewasher of the town, also a zealous Millerite who lived in a 
cabin with about an acre of land nearly opposite Mr. Anson 
Goodwin, who lived where Albert Richmond now does. Mr. 
Goodwin was a thrifty farmer, kept everything neat and trim 
about his premises, and his neighbor's somewhat untidy estate 
across the way was a constant eyesore to him, and he often tried 
to buy him out, but without success. On the day before the 
date fixed upon for the closing drama, Mr. Goodwin wended his 
way across the road to his neighbor and the following conversa- 
tion is reported : ' ' Well, Uncle Joe, they say the world is coming 
to an end tomorrow. " "Yes, the world's coming to an end to- 
morrow sure. " "Really sure about that. Uncle Joe ? " " Sartin 
sure, never was more sartin of anything in my life." "Well, 
you are going away and don't want it, suppose you give me a 
deed of that piece of land this afternoon. " "Ah, but the good 
Lord he say, 'Occupy, occupy, till I come.' " Uncle Joe kept 
his land until death, and the Millerites, frequently disappointed 
in their dates, lapsed into Second Adventism, and finally dis- 
appeared from town. 



CHAPTER XXIV 



ASHFIELD SUMMER RESIDENTS 



In 1890, at a gathering of the students and others connected 
with the Academy, the following paper was read by a person 
who had just before heard from Mr. Norton's own lips his 
account of his " Discovery of Ashfield. " 

About twenty-five years ago on a bright day in June might 
have been seen a traveller driving along the valley road from 
Shelbume Falls to this town. To gain the stranger's acquaint- 
ance at once, we may say he was a professor in one of our prin- 
cipal colleges and an editor of one of our leading magazines, 
that he was in search of some quiet, pleasant village among the 
hills, where he might establish a summer home for himself and 
family. He stopped for a short time in Buckland, then jour- 
neyed on toward Ashfield. There had just been a refreshing 
rain, and the country was at its best. The air was clear and 
bracing and full of the song of birds, the flowers were in full 
bloom by the roadside and the hills were clothed with resplen- 
dent green. As he approached the village the quiet little lake 
by the highway mirrored back the beauty of the clouds, the 
hills and the trees. As he tells the story, he stopped at the 
modest little tavern in the village and partook of an excellent 
dinner. He took a walk through the street and was 
charmed with the beauty and quietness of the place. He then 
continued his journey toward the west, stopping occasionally 
on the summits of the hills, to enjoy the views. He spent 
several days in driving through Berkshire County, but was un- 
able to remove from his mind the pleasant and restful vision of 
Ashfield which he had left behind him, so that he returned, 
looked over the place once more and finally engaged a home for 
the summer. He soon after wrote to his brother editor in New 
York that he had found a paradise among the hills, the haven of 
rest they had been so long seeking, and bade him come and 
share it with him. 

Professor Norton hired a house for the summer, and the next 
spring, April, 1865, he secured a deed of the place from the heirs 
of Jasper Bement. Mr. Curtis came to visit him and the town, 
tarried with his host over Sunday, and the next summer, 1866, 



378 History of Ashfield 

came with his family to Ashfield. The first year he hired of Mrs. 
Miranda Alden the house on the "Flat" now owned by the 
Smith family, soon after, renting the house owned by Moses 
Cook on the Plain which he bought in 1872. Both houses were 
large and substantial structures, nearly three-fourths of a cen- 
tury old; Professor Norton's being built in 1794 by Dr. Phineas 
Bartlett, and Mr. Curtis' at an early date by Levi Cook, the 
first postmaster in town. The}^ were only about fifty rods 
apart, and from the library window of each the house of the 
other was visible. The land of Mr. Curtis extended up to the 
highway opposite Mr. Norton's house and a footpath was soon 
made straight across from one house to the other, which, as the 
years went by, became well worn by the frequent visits of the 
two friends back and forth. 

At the time of their coming here. Professor Norton was asso- 
ciate editor of the North American Review, and Mr. Curtis editor 
of Harper's Magazine {"The Easy Chair''). But besides their 
interest in national affairs, they found time to get acquainted 
with the little town where they had made their home, its cir- 
cumstances, peculiarities and needs. 

About this time efforts were being made to unite the two 
Congregational churches that had been separated for a dozen 
years. In a quiet, unobtrusive way, hardly perceptible, but 
really felt, they threw their influence towards that result, also, 
after the union, towards securing the old church for a town hall. 

As time went by, they became acquainted and familiar with 
the people of the town. If a town meeting was to be held they 
were pretty sure to be there, not for the purpose of influencing 
or criticising the proceedings, but to observe the ways of doing 
business, to see the citizens in a mass, and also probably to get 
a little recreation from it. They attended the meetings of the 
Farmers' Club and entered freely into the discussion with the 
members. On one such occasion when the subject was "Rural 
Betterments," Mr. Norton expressed his disapproval of barbed 
wire fences very strongly, saying he had much more respect 
for one of the old stone walls our fathers built, covered with 
beautiful vines, than for these fences. Mr. Alvan Cross, a hard 



AsHFiELD Summer Residents 379 

headed practical fanner, speaking soon after, said he was sorry 
to disagree with Professor Norton but he had noticed when 
cattle were turned out to pasture they had little respect for an 
old stone wall, even if it was partly covered with vines, and 
were pretty sure to jump over it somewhere, but put up a good, 
strong barbed wire fence, and after they had tried it two or three 
times they respected it, and it was for the farmer's interest to 
have a fence the cattle would respect, whether Professor Norton 
did or not. Of course, the laugh was on Professor Norton, but 
Mr. Curtis gallantly came to the rescue of his friend and soon 
made everything right. Afterwards, two of the most pleasant 
meetings of the club were held at his place, with Mr. Norton 
and his family the genial hosts. 

The work of Professor Norton and Mr. Curtis in connection 
with the library and academy has been noticed on other pages. 
Most of the twenty-three annual lectures which Mr. Curtis gave 
for the benefit of the library had been delivered the previous 
winter in the principal cities to large houses, and for which liberal 
sums were paid. The Ashfield audiences were not always large, 
but Mr. Curtis made no complaint. Rev. Mr. Greene, as Presi- 
dent of the Library Association usually made the arrangements 
with him for the lecture. One evening, there was quite a thin 
house, and Mr. Greene, who was of a very sensitive nature, felt 
deeply hurt at what he considered the slight to Mr. Curtis by 
the people of the town. After a troubled night in thinking over 
the matter he made an early call on Mr. Curtis to present his 
regrets and apologies. He found him cheery as usual, and when 
he broached the dreaded subject Mr. Curtis said, "0, con- 
sidering the subject, the night and all the circumstances, I 
thought we had a very good house." He could name more 
excuses than the apologist, and Mr. Greene felt much relieved. 

Mrs. Amanda F. Hall notes that Mr. Curtis once told her that 
"Never in larger assemblies did he enjoy such thrilling, intelli- 
gent response to his addresses as from his fellow townspeople 
here. " 

For the benefit of the library, Professor Norton also occa- 
sionally gave readings from Lowell, Longfellow and Emerson, 



380 History of Ashfield 

interspersed with delightful reminiscences of these men whom 
he so well knew. 

Whatever was of general interest to the town, improvement 
in the roads, old burial places, village betterments, fire pro- 
tection, and so on, they entered into heartily. 

The Academy dinners have already been spoken of. It was 
plain to be seen that Mr. Curtis and Professor Norton appre- 
ciated and enjoyed the success of these dinners. 

As nearly a quarter of a century has elapsed since these 
dinners were at the height of interest, we quote an account from 
one of the leading papers of the state, of the dinner of '87. 

ASHFIELD'S BIG FESTIVAL 

THE GATHERING OF LITERARY MEN 

Speeches by George William Curtis, Prof. C. E. Norton, Prof. 
G. Stanley Hall, Charles Dudley Warner 
and President Carter. 
From Our Special Reporter. 

Ashfield, Thursday, August 25. 
The annual Ashfield dinner, that festival which culminates 
as well as puts on exhibition the simple, but strong, literary life 
that pervades this quiet village in the summer, was held to-day, 
and a fairer sky, brighter sun or more delicious atmosphere 
never combined more completely to enhance the enjoyment of 
such an occasion. It has been indeed a rare day, and the prac- 
tical farmer declares that none better could be made for the 
celebration. After the incessant rains the sunlight seemed more 
beautiful than ever while the air combined the freshness of June 
and the mellowness of autumn. The well-washed roads from 
all directions lead up to these mountain heights along brooks 
that have lost none of their clearness through freshets, but 
babble more distinctly and musically for the increased volume 
of water. But the beautiful weather was not alone responsible 
for the large gathering here to-day. For ten years these literary 
treats have been held with varying interest, until people for 
twenty miles around plan a regular excursion to attend them. 
Although there was every prospect last night that the day 
would be rainy, the three hundred dinner tickets were all sold, 
and but few of them were taken by natives of the village. _A 
dozen more were crowded around the elastic tables, while 
fully a hundred were admitted after the dinner to hear the 



AsHFiELD Summer Residents 381 

speakers. While it represents characteristic New England 
types, the gathering is in many respects unique and remarkable. 
The plainly finished hall of the quaint old town building with its 
remarkable tower, was filled with tables, even the high stage 
behind the speakers being occupied. Clusters of asparagus tops 
hung from the ceiling, and the buzz of the flies that occupied 
them was drowned in the hiim of expectant voices below, and 
unnoticed in the silent attention the after-dinner speakers 
received. At each plate was a bouquet, — a simple, old-fashioned 
nosegay, with verbena, sweet peas and plain-colored geraniums. 
Around the well-filled tables matrons and maidens bustled long 
before the dinner hour and waited on the hungry visitors as they 
came in, apparently pleased to see the rapidity with which the 
food disappeared before appetites made keen by mountain air. 
Outside the hall, the visitors began to put in their appearance 
early in the forenoon. The motley collection of teams that 
invaded every resident's yard in the vicinity and lined the 
fences resembled the cattle-show gatherings, but the occupants 
would not be mistaken for the average frequenters of such 
exhibitions. There were no boisterous or rollicking loads of 
young people and no noisy groups of children. At least two 
hundred people waited around the hall for the doors to open at 
one o'clock. With plenty of ushers to seat the visitors as they 
crowded in, there was little confusion and no scrambling for 
seats. The dinner possessed the relish of plain, home-cooked 
viands simply served. 

Along the table facing the audience sat the speakers and their 
relatives and personal friends. Prof. C. E. Norton was pale 
from recent illness, but refused to disappoint the audience, 
although it was thought last evening that he would be unable 
to preside. On his right sat Charles Dudley Warner, with his 
large blue eyes scanning the visitors. Next him George William 
Curtis seemed to lose his customary dignity and reserve in the 
hearty greetings he received from country folks who took him 
by the hand. Franklin Carter, president of Williams College, 
Prof. G. S. Hall of Johns Hopkins, Professor Ware of Columbia 
College and Principal Hall of the Hartford high school were 
among the distinguished people there. Professor Norton pre- 
sided in his usual happy manner, a smile playing around his 
mouth whether his words were witty or formed polished sen- 
tences. He began by bidding the visitors all a welcome, and 
said he wished "that the hall was as large as our hearts. " He 
then paid eloquent tribute to Rector Greene, Alvan Clarke, 
and John Field, who had died during the year. 



382 History of Ashfield 

Professor Norton's introduction of the last speaker, George 
William Curtis, was a peculiarly graceful one, as he quoted from 
Wordsworth's lines on "The happy warrior" to characterize the 
editor's life. Mr. Curtis began by apologizing for always speak- 
ing on these occasions. He related the story of the witness who 
said that he was bom in a certain town and lived there eighty- 
seven years, when the lawyer asked him where he had lived 
before that time. For ten years he had spoken at these dinners, 
and some one might ask what he did before the dinners began. 
Williams College, he said, was present in tremendous force. 
"She gave us a president of the United States and has sent us a 
president to-day. Williams is the college of Bryant, Garfield 
and Mark Hopkins, and also of Wadhams, and Stanley Hall, 
but I must be careful for other college men are present. From 
the hills little streams flow to the sea, from the hills little boys 
run whose names in mature life are cherished in every home. 
When Bryant was a lawyer in Cummington he wrote 'The 
Water Fowl. ' I am sure his eye was set on a little boy who 
was to come from Plainfield, who has turned his knowledge to 
patriotic uses, and has strengthened the union of our states. 
I can characterize that man (Mr. Warner) by the title of his 
book, 'Summer in a Garden.' '" He then referred humorously 
to the various suggestions about the new academy building, 
and praised the skill of Professor Ware who had come to advise 
about its construction. "I am sadly conscious," he said, 
"that there is nothing left for the last speaker, but I appeal to 
every man and woman here if there is not a satisfaction in 
having the last word in behalf of our academy?" Touching 
allusions were then made to John Field and his gift and after a 
description of what had been done for the academy, Mr. 
Curtis made an earnest appeal for its future support. 

In their walks and drives about town the nooks and comers 
of Ashfield were pretty well explored. Cook's hill, the Sanderson 
hill and Peter hill were favorite resorts. One bright September 
afternoon when they had visitors. Chief Justice Gray among 
the rest, the party was seated on the large rock on Sanderson's 
hill above the village, — now in Mr. Belding's peach orchard, 
and their talk called forth from Alvan Sanderson, who was at 
work on the flat below, the remark that he ' ' guessed they must 
be telling mighty good stories up there, for some pretty big 
laughs came down once in a while. " 



AsHFiELD Summer Residents 383 

In one of these walks on Peter hill, James Russell Lowell ex- 
pressed a desire to own the Lorenzo Lilly farm for a summer 
residence. The house is situated about seventeen hundred feet 
above the level of the sea and commands a fine eastward view. 
The land extends northward to the summit of the hill, which is 
one thousand eight hundred and forty feet in height. Professor 
Norton secured the place for his friend, but the death of Mr. 
Lowell in 1891, prevented the transfer of the property. The 
place is now a part of the Norton estate, and the house is the 
"Lilliput Lodge "which has been occupied for several seasons 
by Rev. C. B. F. Pease and family. 

Mr. Curtis died at his home on Staten Island, N. Y., August 
30, 1892. On the arrival of the news at Ashfield the next morn- 
ing, the bells were tolled and in the evening a citizens' meeting 
was held and resolutions passed on his death, which were tran- 
scribed in the town records. A meeting of the trustees of the 
Academy was also called and similar resolutions passed which 
were recorded. Henry S. Ranney, Esq., the veteran town clerk, 
and Charles Howes, as chairman of the selectmen, were chosen 
as the town representatives to the funeral. From a New York 
paper of September 3, 1892, we give a few extracts from an 
account of the funeral. 

No service more simple, more free from pomp and circum- 
stance, could have been arranged than the funeral of George 
William Curtis. Only three small rooms in the modest cottage 
where the essayist lived and worked for more than thirty years 
were opened for the reception of those who attended his funeral. 
In all, family and friends, there were fewer than half a hundred 
persons present. 

In the darkened parlor to the right of the centre hall the 
casket rested, and on it was placed a single wreath of white and 
yellow roses in part, and in part a segment of white lilies of the 
valley, in which the word "Ashfield" was worked in purple 
flowers. Ashfield is the name of the New England home where 
George William Curtis rested in his vacations. 

Dr. Chadwick's service was concluded without music or 
ritual, and then the casket was removed to a hearse, and, fol- 
lowed by only four carriages, taken to the Moravian Cemetery 
at New Dorp. On a knoll overlooking the lower bay and a 



384 History of Ashfield 

broad stretch of the Atlantic is the burial plot of the old Staten 
Island family, Shaw, of which family Mrs. Curtis is a member. 
There in 1874, was buried Sarah Shaw Curtis, Mr. Curtis' 
daughter. There he was buried yesterday. Fewer than a score 
of people were present when the casket was lowered into the 
grave. Dr. Chadwick prayed over the grave, and then Professor 
Norton stepped to the head of the grave and with bowed un- 
covered head paid a friend's tribute to the character of the man 
he had loved. What he said no one but the one woman standing 
nearest the grave heard. When the mound was made they 
placed over it the one wreath bearing the word "Ashfield. " 

Professor Norton continued the Academy dinners for ten 
years after Mr. Curtis' death until the twenty-fifth dinner when 
he decided to cease his connection with them; but he still kept 
up his interest in the town and in the institutions for which he 
had done so much. The last summer he was here he was 
anxious that a civic service committee should be formed, an 
organized, permanent body working for the general good of the 
town. Such an organization was started with a few members, 
and it is for the interest of the town that it be sustained as 
Professor Norton had suggested. Mr. Norton died October 21, 
1908. On learning of his death a well attended meeting of the 
citizens was held at the town hall and resolutions passed ex- 
pressing the feeling of loss which the town felt at his death. Dr. 
G. R. Fessenden and A. D. Daniels were chosen a committee to 
attend his funeral at Cambridge. On the 23rd at twelve o'clock, 
the hour of the funeral, the town hall bell was tolled for half an 
hour. 

In 1890, the young people of the town organized a literary 
association called the "Curtis Club" which became a very in- 
teresting and successful institution. In 1896, this club caused 
a tablet to be erected in the town hall to the memory of Mr. 
Curtis which was appropriately dedicated, Professor Norton 
assisting in the ceremony. It is placed at the east side of the 
door at the north end of the lower town hall and reads as follows : 

In grateful and affectionate remembrance 
OF George William Curtis and as a memorial 
OF his presence and speech on many occasions 
IN this hall, this tablet is set up by the 
Curtis Club of Ashfield. 
MDCCCXCVI 



AsHFiELD Summer Residents 385 

After Mr. Norton's death, citizens of the town, by voluntary- 
subscription, procured a tablet to his memory similar to that of 
Mr. Curtis to be placed on the wall opposite. This reads as 
follows : 

This tablet is erected in loving memory of 

Charles Eliot Norton and of his long and 

constant friendship for this town, 

BY citizens of Ashfield. 

MDCCCCIX 

This tablet was unveiled Sept. 21, 1909, quite a gathering of 
citizens, the teachers and pupils of the Academy and the family 
of Professor Norton being present at the exercises. The veil 
was drawn from the tablet by little Virginia Hall, a great-grand- 
daughter of Admiral Farragut, and formally presented to the 
care of the town by Sanford H. Boice, president of the Civic 
Service Association. The charge was accepted by Allison G. 
Howes, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, after which remarks 
were made by some of the trustees of the Academy and by Rev. 
Mr. Hallett and Rev. Dr. Jones. Tributes were given as to 
the interest Mr. Norton had in what was for the best good of 
the town, also for many kindly deeds rendered in private. 
Charles Norton, Esq., of New York, feelingly responded for the 
family, expressing thanks for the erection of the tablet and for 
the estimation the people of Ashfield had for his father. Miss 
Lizzie Curtis, by request read a paper on the relation of these 
two summer residents to the people of the town. 

It was as follows: 

It is forty-six years this summer since Professor Norton came 
to Ashfield in search of health for his eldest son, then a baby. 
Two years later my father established his summer home here — 
and for the next twenty-seven years a friendship already sincere 
and intimate, was broadened and deepened by close and fre- 
quent intercourse during three or four months of each year. 

What that intercourse meant to the two participants was 
fully known to no one except themselves; but some of the re- 
sults of it were seen and felt by their friends and neighbors of 
this town. 



386 History of Ashfield 

Although their ways of looking at life were superficially very 
different, Mr. Norton and my father were singularly at one in 
their principles and ideals. I do not think that any question 
of moinent arose during their joint residence in Ashfield with 
regard to which their sympathy was not perfect. No matter 
what task one might undertake, he sought for and received the 
aid and comfort of the other. 

Their public work does not concern us to-day. It is of their 
love and labor for their summer home that we are now to speak. 

Here also they were singularly congenial. Both, I think, held 
the same opinion of the town which was their residence for a 
third of the year from choice, not from necessity. 

It was not simply as a place of rest and relaxation that they 
looked on Ashfield, nor was it simply the beauty of its hills, and 
streams, and woods, that brought them hither year after year. 
If I apprehend their feeling correctly they believed, and believed 
intensely, that small towns and villages of this country are its 
heart, and that the future welfare of the nation depends on 
keeping that heart sound and true. It was with this end in view 
that they gave their time and strength to the helping of every- 
thing in Ashfield that tended to broaden and deepen the stand- 
ards of 'life, and to make living itself more enjoyable. 

It was for this reason that they gave every year, some of the 
best that was in them to the academy and library, holding, as 
they did, that an uneducated community cannot remain free in 
the full sense of that word, and that schools and books are 
essential if Ashfield in the future is not to fall below Ashfield in 
the past. 

That was the feeling which actuated them, and it may, I 
think, be most clearly expressed in Emerson's words: 

"God for the fathers, so for us 
Thou darhng town of ours!" 

Many tributes have been offered to the memory of these two 
friends since they ceased to live on earth. Among them there 
is not one that has not brought pride and gratification to their 
friends and kindred. 

And yet, I think, there is none more beautiful and fitting than 
the inscriptions on the tablets in this hall, for, as I have already 
said, the thing they cared for most in Ashfield was not to enjoy 
her beauty, her rest, her peacefulness. It was to win the good 
will of their friends and neighbors, and to work with them as 
fellow-citizens and fellow-residents. 



AsHFiELD Summer Residents 387 

That they won their desire is placed beyond a doubt by the 
words which their fellow-citizens have dedicated to their mem- 
ory in the town hall of Ashfield. 

Soon after Mr. Curtis was established here, his friend John 
W. Field of Philadelphia bought land on the hill south of the 
village and put up substantial buildings there. He became 
much attached to the town and before his death in 1887 ex- 
pressed a wish that he might be buried in Ashfield. The kind- 
ness of Mr. and Mrs. Field and their liberality towards the 
Academy and Library have been told in other pages. Mr. 
Field was buried here but Mrs. Field lost her life in a burning 
building in London in 1897. A sister of Mrs. Curtis, Mrs. 
Josephine Lowell, bought of Mr. Moses Cook the house on the 
hill south of Mrs. Curtis'. She died in 1905. In one of his 
books on the slums of New York, Jacob Riis speaks of Mrs. 
Lowell as being among the foremost in settlement work among 
the poor of that city. 

The "Cross Cottage" on the hill, having been conveyed by 
deed to the Trustees of the Academy by Mrs. Field, it was 
purchased in 1893 by Loyal Farragut, son of Commodore Farra- 
gut, thus adding another sterling citizen to Ashfield's summer 
residents. 

Others are the Morgans in their stone castle on the hill, the 
Sullivans in "Little Switzerland, " Dr. Murray on the old farm 
bought by the Bement ancestor in 1762, Colonel Emmett on the 
old Eldredge farm with his view of the South Ashfield valley, 
Mrs. Underhill on the old Fuller and Barber farm. Revs. Pease 
and Sewall and Professor Thomas snugly ensconced in their bun- 
galow in the grove above the Bryant place. Misses Warren and 
Thorpe in the village, the Cockadays, the Browns, Tumbulls, 
and Butlers in South Ashfield, the Marshalls and Ludwigs at 
Chapel Falls, Dr. Jones and Miss Low in the heart of the old 
Steady Lane district, and others. 

Besides these, old natives of the town have returned to share 
in its pleasures as summer residents. Milo M. Belding has not 
only built for himself a fine summer residence, but has bought 
up a number of old lots and has made the waste places to blossom 



388 History of Ashfield 

as the rose. President G. Stanley Hall has secured by deed the 
tiptop of Peter hill where he plans at some future time a lookout 
summer bungalow. Lucius S. Hall yearned for his old boyhood 
haunts in New Boston, and bought a farm there. 

Ashfield has been fortunate in its simimer residents. They 
have been of a high class, and have had the respect and esteem 
of the old residents of the town. 



APPENDIX 

If any care to look up the town's history further, we would 
refer them to the Ellis book, two copies of which are in the 
town library, also several are in the hands of private parties 
in town. We understand a few copies are left which can be 
had of Mrs. Geo. W. Ellis of Philadelphia for $3.00 a copy. 

There are many copies of Mr. Barnabas Howes' pamphlets in 
town and are probably easily accessible. Dr. Packard's book 
before alluded to gives much ecclesiastical history of the town. 

The records of the town are in good condition to be consulted. 
The large safe and the vault recently built give sufficient space 
for them to be conveniently arranged. 

The State Commissioner of Records now exercises supervision 
over the preservation of records in the towns, but our excellent 
town clerks, Mr. Ranney and his worthy successor, John M. 
Sears, Esq., have been a law unto themselves and have had a 
conscientious care of the papers relating in any way to the 
interests of the town. The old records of births, deaths and 
marriages have, as far as possible, been gathered from various 
sources and indexed. Many of the old valuation books have 
been preserved, back to the first assessment in 1766. 

The clerk's and treasurer's books of the old proprietors are 
here, also the records of the first Baptist and Congregational 
churches. The Diary of Rev. Alvan Sanderson for four years, 
manuscript copies of his sermons, also those of Rev. Dr. Shepard 
are preserved here. 

A record of an early deed of a "Right" in Huntstown reads 
thus: 

Sept. 13, 1742. Jonathan Nelson of Upton for a considera- 
tion of Forty five pounds grants to John Sadler of Deerfield a 
proprietors Right in the Township Granted by the Great and 
General Court of this Province to Capt. Hunt's Company on 
account of their Expedition to Canada, the said Township 
lying to the west of Deerfield and Joyning there upon the said 



390 History of Ashfield 

John Sadler to perform or cause to be performed the conditions 
which the General Court require in order to a proprietor holding 
a right in the said Township, by a proprietors Right in this 
Deed as means the Sixty third part of the said Township, and 
the particular Right hereby disposed of is Number 31. 

No. 31 was in Baptist Comer. Sadler came here some years 
after but did not settle on this lot. He lived south of where 
Charles Hocum does, probably on Lot 62 or 63. 

Of the two Captains mentioned on page 231, Benjamin 
PhilHps sold land here in 1792, but was not taxed here in 1795. 
Captain Benjamin had a son, Benjamin, born in 1752, and 
some of the records may be of the son. But the query still 
remains for some future historian to solve as to what became 
of this man and his descendants. He not only took an active 
part as an ofhcer of the war, but was prominent in town affairs ; 
was first clerk after the incorporation of the town, and select- 
man for a number of years. Mr. George Bassett, in a note in 
the Phillips genealogy, says he was related to the Phillips 
families here. He is probably the Benjamin Phillips mentioned 
on page 195 of the genealogy as having been a prisoner at 
Quebec in 1775. Capt. Ephraim Jennings married a daughter 
(Mariam) of Chileab Smith. In 1794 he owned land and lived 
in East Buckland, north of the Mary Lyon place. He died 
before 1800, and was probably buried in Buckland, although 
we are unable to find his burial place. He left quite a family 
of children who went to western New York, where some of the 
descendants now reside. 

Of the five days men enlisted August 17 to August 22, 1777, 
at the time of the Bennington battle, a note of an interview 
with Mr. Marcus Parker quotes his words: "My father, 
Elisha Parker, was in the company that marched to Bennington. 
They marched to Cheshire the first day where they joined the 
Berkshire troops, and the next day marched to Bennington." 
Elisha Parker's name is on the State roll of Captain Jennings' 
Company for the five day expedition, so it is quite certain that 
Captain Jennings' Company did go to Bennington. By the 
reenlistments about this time it seems very probable that both 



Appendix 



391 



AGE 




AGE 


77 


Wid. Samuel Guilford 






Solomon Hill . 


72 


75 


Zachariah Howes . 


79 


79 


Ziba Leonard . 


75 


78 


Bethuel Lilly . 


70 


68 


Calvin Maynard . 


73 


73 


Elisha Parker 


86 


74 


Caleb Packard 


72 


72 


Laban Stetson 


77 


88 


Ezekiel Taylor 


75 


75 


David Vincent 


70 


78 


Stephen Warren 


95 



Captain Phillips' and Captain Jennings' Companies were with 
Gates at the surrender of Burgoyne. 

The following is a recorded list of Revolutionary soldiers 
drawing pensions in Ashfield in 1832 : 



Lot Bassett 
John Bement . 
John B elding . 
Caleb Bryant 
Timothy Catlin 
Josiah Fuller . 
Joseph Gumey 
Elizabeth Guilford 
Asa Selden 
Charles Simpson 
Jonathan Taylor 
Caleb Ward . 



The last pensioner, David Vincent, died in 1848. Stephen 
Warren died a few months before him. 

Allusion has been made to the increase of taxes occasioned 
by the Civil War. In 1865, the total money tax for the town was 
$18,693.75 and a highway tax of $2000, the sum total being 
$20,693.75, making the rate over three per cent. The extra 
expenses for that year were for town debt $4500, subscriptions 
refunded, $4500. Volunteers (Bounties), $2375. Those who 
subscribed for funds to carry on the war and to hire substitutes 
to prevent a draft had quite a portion refunded to them. But 
there were those who had sons or other near relatives in the 
war, and who for this reason did not deem it their duty to 
subscribe. On such men these taxes fell heavily, having no 
subscriptions returned to them. Some of these men, who lost 
sons in the war, were obliged to pay a heavier tax than their 
neighbors. 

In the tax list for 1794, there were eight poll tax payers by 
the name of Alden, six of Bement, six of Belding, ten of Howes, 
five of Lillie, and sixteen of Phillips. 

March, 1830, "Voted not to license shows and theatrical 
entertainments in this town," and November, 1814, "Voted to 
petition Congress to stop carrying or opening the mail on the 
Sabbath." 



392 History of Ashfield 

The following sketches were written by Mrs. Amanda H. 
Hall: 

LITTLE SWITZERLAND 

In 1837, or thereabout — for I was approaching my ninth 
year, Mr. John Baldwin and his wife, both formerly of Ash- 
field, but then living in New York, came to visit at my grand- 
father's. The year before they went by sailing packet to 
Europe, and spent several months in London, Paris, and 
especially among the Alps in Switzerland and Italy. 

During this visit they drew freely on a large fund of informa- 
tion concerning what they had enjoyed. One day, after having 
given us most thrilling descriptions of scenery among the Swiss 
mountains, my grandfather said, playfully — "After dinner I 
will take you out to see Ashfield's little Switzerland" and gave 
them the view on the Northwest road, with which we are all 
so famiHar. This they both declared to be worthy of the name, 
which it has held from that time. 

In the early history of New England it was customary (as 
we all know) in western Massachusetts towns, if not more 
generally, to give public warning to every stranger coming in 
for residence, that he might not, in case of adversity or want 
of thrift, become a public charge and expense. 

A man hailing from Shutesbury had appeared in Ashfield. 
At the next following town meeting the town crier, at a suita- 
able point in the business proceedings, called this man to the 
floor, saying in forbidding tones, "I warn you — I warn you — 
I warn you — off the face of God's earth." The astonished and 
excited man exclaimed, "Why, where shall I go to?" — "Go 
to Shutesbury where you belong" was the laconic reply. The 
main point in this incident lay in the fact that at that time 
Shutesbury was chiefly known as "huckleberry ground," with 
a large colony of negroes to gather and sell the berries through 
the Connecticut valley and in near-by hill towns. I remember 
when at the right season for berries, "Old Newport" and other 
colored brethren regularly appeared with wagon loads of the 
berries which they sold from door to door by the bushel or less, 
or more, bringing along at the same time, their brushes, and 
other whitewashing regalia for general "jobs" after disposing 
of their berries. Also that they were easily transformed 
into chimney sweeps, doing up all that sort of house clean- 
ing for a twelve-month, or till spring cleaning came around 
again. 



Appendix 393 

CONCERNING PARSON PORTER 

Early in the last century Ashfield hospitality would have 
been at appalling discount without the daily cups of "flip" or 
"toddy" offered to friend or stranger as freely as now we 
serv^e tea, coffee or broths "between meals" for refreshment 
of the weary who drop in. 

Parson Porter, long revered and beloved pastor here, was a 
man of much personal dignity and polish of manner, who would 
have considered it an unpardonable breach of courtesy to de- 
cline such hospitality whenever offered. Consequently, when 
on a round of parish visits, he sometimes yielded to these 
blandishments too often for his own good. 

I have often heard, that, calling at my grandfather's near 
the end of one such day (his visits were always paid in the 
saddle) he slipped the bridle of his horse over the hitching post 
at the gate as he dismounted and went rather uncertainly to 
the house. It was evident he had already been sufficiently 
"refreshed," so nothing was offered him. But he was in a social 
mood and tarried long. Meanwhile his horse had easily freed 
himself from the post, and was enjoying "refreshment" by the 
roadside when a neighbor, in passing, who knew the horse, 
brought him back to the post, slipping the bridle through and 
over for security. 

When Parson Porter left, my grandfather walked with him 
to the gate, and often described to my willing ears, how grace- 
fully, in his long silken hose and silver buckles, he managed 
his uncertain legs as he surveyed his horse first from one side, 
then from the other, exclaiming, "Squire White is it pos-si-ble 
my horse went through that post-hole?" 

The many descendants of the Bassett family now living may 
be interested in the following items : 

Rev. Alvan Sanderson's Journal for 1808 says, "June 8, 
Thursday, married Thomas Bassett to Fanny Sears." Extracts 
from the diary of Thomas Bassett: "1816 June 5. Season 
backward. 6 Very cold and windy with snow that laid on the 
mountain towns. 7 Ground froze half an inch thick. Ice on 
water half an inch thick in the morning. 8 Still cold and 
frozen, people with great coats and mittens on. 9th, 10th, and 
11th, Wind abated. Still continues cold — fields white with 
frost — vegetables destroyed. Com killed quite into the ground 
— fields barren. 1821, July 4th, Town meeting in Town Hall — 



394 History of Ashfield 

first time. 1822, Jan. 14, George Ranney died. 16th, funeral 
sermon in town hall. 1823, Oct. 15, Ground froze quite hard. 
18th, Snow fell five inches deep. 25th Snow storm good part 
of the day and night. 26th, More snow, now seven or eight 
inches deep. Sleighing. 1824, Apr. 6. Frank went by stage 
to see the Tileston farm. 1827, May 25, Muster in Ashfield." 
In the cold year which he chronicles no com was raised and 
there was much suffering for lack of food. 

Probably few men in the state have had the length of con- 
tinuous service as stage driver that William Deming had on 
one stage route from Ashfield to Shelbume Falls for over 
thirty years. An account of a ride over this route was printed 
in the Greenfield Gazette in 1889 and reprinted in 1906, the year 
after his death, which gives a very good picture of Mr. Deming 
and his eccentricities as stage driver under the name of "Sam." 
Its authorship was credited to Miss Julina O. Hall, sister of 
Pres. G. Stanley Hall. 

"SAM" THE COACH-DRIVER 

Oakfield was never so charming! It was a matter of deep 
regret to me that morning that my stay must be cut short, 
but the stage-coach had rumbled up to the hotel, and I must 
be off. 

"Room for me?" I asked of the stout, good-natured driver, 
as he climbed over the yellow wheels and opened the coach door. 

"Well, I reckon so, judgin' from yer present size. But if you 
should turn out one o' them awful swells, I might have to git 
ye onto the outside." 

He was an unique character. I had ridden with him once 
before and had good reason to remember him, for never had I 
so cursed and so blessed an innocent man, all in the same breath, 
as it were. I was at that moment uncertain whether I should 
tell him all he had unconsciously done for me, or not, but I had 
taken the precaution to charge the landlord the night before, 
to see that I took Sam's coach rather than a rival vehicle which 
had just been set up, and upon which the public frowned, with 
some reason. 

"Of course," said mine host. "Whoever has been with Sam 
once never will go with any one else." 

I had taken the unoccupied half of the middle seat, and was 



Appendix 395 

congratulating myself that, being the sixth passenger in a three- 
seated coach, its seating capacity was exhausted and we should 
now set off without delay. 

"Where are you going to put me, driver? " called a voice from 
outside. 

Sam's keen eye surveyed the speaker for an instant: — "Well, 
the back seat is the safest. You seem to be made out of a little 
finer clay than most folks, and I'm kind o' fraid you'll break." 

"But there are two there now," remonstrated the dude, as 
he threw away his cigar and peered over his eye-glasses. 

"Good land! Do you call that two? That's Deacon Jones 
and his better half. Look here young man," he continued with 
a look of serious concern, "are you in the habit of seein' double 
that way ? ' ' 

The young man had scarcely climbed in when a buggy drove 
up from the south village, and an enormous man with a patri- 
archal beard and the consequential air of a bank-president 
announced his intention of joining our number. 

"Say Captain," said the driver, as he took the new comer's 
dimensions with his keen gray eye, "have you got your 
growth ? ' ' 

"Come now," said the victim, "don't make fun of me before 
folks. My sensitiveness corresponds to my size. You'd better 
be thinking what you'd do if the Lord had made you so big." 

"Well, so I will. But my impression now without thinkin' 
the matter over, is that I should go down to New York or 
Boston, to one o' them boss surgeons and be made over into a 
pair o' twins." 

There was a roar of laughter from the hotel piazza and I 
understood at once why all the boarders were so fond of seeing 
the stage off. 

But we were not yet en route. There were errands to be 
stated in Sam's ear by the merchant, the grocer and the tinner, 
to no one of which did he pay the slightest attention, and I was 
sure none of them would be done. 

" Never you fear," said the deacon, to whom I idly mentioned 
my impression. "Henever forgets anything. If a woman sends 
for him to match a yard of calico, he takes no rest till that 
errand is done, just right too. If the commercial interests of 
the whole nation depended on that purchase he could n't give 
more attention to it." 

"That's so," said the deacon's wife. "And he's got good 
taste, too. My niece from Albany spent the summer with me 
last year, and she wanted to get a ribbon to wear to a big party 



396 History of Ashfield 

at the hotel. I told her to send by Sam and you ought to have 
seen her laugh. 

" 'I don't want red and yellow stripes or green and blue 
plaids,' she said, 'and that's all such a man would see any 
beauty in.' " 

"But I made her try it. I told her to give him a piece of the 
dress she wanted to wear it with and 'if he don't suit you' say I, 
' I'll pay for it myself.' And sure enough he got her the prettiest 
thing, in soft browns and gold, and she was so astonished she 
said if ever she came again, she'd save all her spring shopping 
for him to do. And it does beat all, the way he has of seeing 
through folks. If he should meet you on the street to-day, he 
could fit you to a pair of boots a year later, by his eye." 

During the "deaconess' " sotto voce eulogy, the horses had 
jogged on as far as the little group of houses in the valley. Here 
was a tank of water by the road-side, and while the animals 
were taking their accustomed draught, an aged man stepped 
out of a shop opposite. 

"Good momin', Uncle Peter!" said Sam. "How's your 
rheumatism and your neuralgia and your gout and your heart- 
disease and your dyspepsia and your measles?" 

" Pooty fair! I reckon I 'm about as tough as anybody o' my 
age. Do you see that pile o' shingles? I made all them last 
week." 

' ' My land ! How old be ye ? " 

"Ninety-one. I'm the oldest man in town." 

"Why don't you renew your youth?" 

"Well, I'd be mighty glad if I could." 

"Easiest thing in the world! See here?" and Sam took up a 
clean, white shingle fresh from the old man's draw-shave, and 
with a piece of red chalk from his vest pocket, wrote "91" in 
large, heavy figures. 

"See that?" he said to the old man. 

"Yes, Yes! My eyesight is as good as yours." 

"Now you turn that upside down, so," Sam continued "and 
it ain't but 'sixteen.' See? Well, I reckon that if you should 
just turn over and stand on your head sometime, you would n't 
be ninety-one but only sixteen." 

The horses had finished their draught, but we had scarcely 
started before another passenger presented herself with "big 
box, little box, bandbox and bundle." 

"Why, Jerusha!" exclaimed Sam as he dismounted from his 
perch to assist her, "be you goin' a visitin'?" 



Appendix 397 

"I was calculating to. Hope you've no objection," was the 
pert rejoinder. 

"Well, I do' know. Have you got your best cap and 
spectacles?" 

"Yes, don't you worry." 

"And your black silk apron and your false front and your 
knitting-work and your fine-tooth comb and your curl papers 
and your tooth pick and your Testament and your memo- 
randum and your Jamaica ginger and your turkey-tail fan?" 

"Come now do let me git in, though I don't see any place 
for me." 

"Did you lock the cupboard and bolt the cellar door and 
shut down the hatchway and nail up the windows?" 

"Yes, Yes! They're all right." 

"Well, who's going to feed your chickens and take care of 
your cat and bring in the eggs and scare the crows away and 
set the rat-trap and kill the potato bugs?" 

"That's all tended to. Anything more?" 

" Did you shut the stove damper and leave the fire all safe? " 

"Come, if you don't stop your nonsense I'll stay at home." 

"Have you had your breakfast and said your prayers?" 

"Do let a body alone." 

"Well, I can't see but what you're about ready to go." 

The helpless victim endured all this tirade like one well 
fortified against any ills that might befall a traveler, and Sam's 
round face was as grave as that of a judge of the Inquisition. 

With nine in the coach and three on the box, we were increas- 
ingly curious as to what would be done with her. Sam gave 
her the seat he had just left and we were beginning to think 
he'd have to go afoot himself when he climbed over the side- 
gear, put his feet on the cross-bar and sat down on the foot- 
board of the driver's box, amongst the feet of his outside pas- 
sengers. At the same time he burst out singing the old well 
known rivival hymn, — 

"Oh! to be nothing, nothing, nothing!" 

It was an amusing, yet most uneventful ride. In the hay- 
fields along the route, the workmen all seemed to manage to 
be near enough the roadside to have a word with the jolly 
driver. 

"Hello, Sam! How's your courage this morning?" shouted 
one. 

"First rate! Two Bengal tigers, four hyenas and the snake 
o' Paradise all ter once wouldn't scare me a bit," was the reply. 

"Glad to hear it," said the fanner as he wiped his face with 



398 History of Ashfield 

his gingham sleeve, "'cause I heard you wa'n't goin' to drive 
stage no more." 

"Well that's curious!" said Sam. "I thought the liars was 
all winter killed this year. They was made for a hot climate, 
you know." 

From the opposite field a red-cheeked youth rushed up to 
the fence. 

"Did you bring down that package for me," he asked. 

"Let's see. It was a three cent valentine you wanted me to 
git, I believe. I 'm awful sorry but I did n't git it. You see, 
I saw her ridin' out with another feller, and I could n't bear to 
have you waste your money so." 

At the Hartland postoffice there were more passengers still. 
By some magic, Sam had conjured up an "extra" which now 
drove up along side and a general rearrangement of passengers 
followed, by which everybody was made more comfortable. 
The dude and the young school girl with daisies on her hat were 
in Sam's mind candidates for the back seat together. 

"Say, hold on:" he said, as he was about to help the young 
girl in. "I guess I've made a mistake. I was pairin' you off 
simply by your size. I forgot one or the other of you might 
be bashful." 

Of course this was just the proper preface to plunging them 
into a good humored chat. The young man "ventured to pre- 
sume that he could stand it," and the young girl bowed a little 
and blushed a little and smiled a little. 

Sam encouraged her by promising to "keep an eye on them." 

The front seat was given entire to the woman with the baby. 
In the general revolution I had secured a place on the box. 
The other vehicle was just ahead of us. It was an open carriage 
and the sun in our faces gave a show of excuse for the silly 
couple ahead, but as they whisked on far beyond and out of 
sight, both under one umbrella, Sam chuckled, "I wouldn't 
mind bein' in his place inyself, would you?" 

" Driver," said I, and I turned upon him as if I were indicting 
him at the bar, "just own up; that's an old trick of yours." 

"No 't'aint! Upon honor? I never tried it but once in my 
life. I hate fiirtin' worse'n I hate hornets, and castor oil and 
long sermons and smoky stoves and burnt bacon and a hole in 
my pockets and punched half dollars and mugwumps." 

I ignored his categorical tendencies at which the rest laughed, 
I was too intent. The revelation had got to come now. 

"And that 'once' was three years ago last January, in a 
driving snow storm. I was your victim. You sent me and a 



Appendix 399 

pretty girl on together to catch the first train," said I, and I 
felt my breath coming hotter and faster as the reminiscence 
rushed upon me, "and we caught it, I tell you! It was a good 
scheme; it worked well; I married that girl inside of a year." 

"Well! Did you marry her for life, or only till the next 
divorce court sits?" 

"I tell you, there never was such a wife on the face of the 
earth. It was rather a silly beginning we made. We had to, 
with all your joking to start us ofif; but, sir, we should have 
blessed your name a thousand times over, since then, if only 
we'd known what it was." 

"Sam Tooley, I've no objection to a few blessings provided 
they're in style. Mebbe it ain't too late now." 

I was absorbed in reflections and only half heard the banter 
with this one and that one that followed. 

A clerical looking young man drove past us and stopped with 
an express package for Sam to take. 

"Well, parson, got your sermon done? Is it regeneration or 
justification or sanctification or botheration this week?" 

"I should be happy to have you come and hear for yourself," 
was the courteous reply. 

"I'll give you a text to meditate on next week. 'And the 
sons of God married the daughters of men.' 'Go thou and do 
likewise.' 'What thou doest do quickly' and 'rejoice ever- 
more.' " 

On reaching the station the coach drove up in the rear and 
there was a great jingling of cash as we all paid our dues and a 
great surging of the crowd toward our side of the building. The 
idlers were all eager to catch Sam's drollery. 

"Wait a moment," called the deacon, as the driver started 
to unload the baggage. "There are two more cents your 
due." 

"Nevermind 'em; just drop 'em into the missionary box. 
I'm always generous when it's coppers we're talkin' about. 
Besides they may buy a pious tract, on red-hot brimstone, 
that'll save a perishin' soul, like as not." 

"Now hold on Sam! There is such things as going too far 
with jokes. I've heard your father was a preacher. I don't 
see how you dare to make light of serious things." 

For the first time that morning Sam's grave face relaxed and 
he burst out into a rollicking laugh. 

"Look o' here!" said he, addressing the crowd generally. 
'He says I must n't make light o' hot brimstone. Can't never 
scratch no more matches, can I?" 



400 ' History of Ashfield 

The deacon himself concluded to join the laugh. The train 
whistled and the group dispersed. Sam's passengers went 
their various ways, wondering why the morning's stage-ride 
had fatigued them so little. 

Summer and winter, in sun and storai, Sam Tooley jogs along 
the hilly road. Once, twice or three times, as the traveling 
public demands, he goes over the ground, always ready to do 
anything demanded of him by letter, or by telephone, or by 
the living voice. A hearty goodwill towards all mankind, — 
this is his culture, his politics and his religion. 

Let no serious student of sociology affirm that it takes wisdom 
or wealth or worldly honor to gain the love of one's fellow-men, 
and the steadfast devotion of a host of friends. A kind heart, a 
merry mood and an unselfish spirit will make their way into 
many pleasant walks in life. 

The kindliness which a man sows, that shall he also reap. 



A passenger at one time told Mr. Deming he should think 
he would forget some of his errands, he had so many to do. 
'O, no, I never forget, never set down anything either. Why, 
the other day I had 103 errands to do in Greenfield and had 
forty-two minutes between trains to do them in. Never forgot 
one; got 'em all done and had time to eat a piece of custard 
pie down to the depot before the train came in." 

One morning at the Ashfield Post Office the last part of the 
winter they were discussing the size of the ' ' dive holes ' ' in the 
town when the stage driver said, "Your dive holes up here don't 
begin with some of 'em down in Buckland. I don't pretend to 
drive into 'em, got my horses trained so they jump right across. 
Why, the other day I was going across one so, and I looked down 
under me and there was a yoke of cattle and a load of 
wood." 

An old lady was bewailing the wickedness of such large 
stories when a gray haired theological professor, who had been 
over the route many times with the driver said, "O, no, Dem- 
ing 's lies are all white ones, I never knew him to tell a mali- 
cious lie." 



Appendix 401 

Extracts from the Diary or Rev. Alvan Sanderson 
The Founder of Sanderson Academy. 

At the beginning of the year 1808, he notes that he was in- 
vited to preach for a short season in Ashfield. In a short time 
he was requested by the committee to remain four Sabbaths 
more. 

Apr. 3rd. After a town meeting relating to ministerial 
affairs, was requested to remain 3 Sabbaths more. I consented. 
April 21. Was notified by a committee of the Ch. and Soc, 
of an almost unanimous call to settle in this town in the work 
of the Gospel ministry. 

Terms follow. The next week he speaks of calling at Rev. 
Mr. Porter's of Ashfield, at Rev. Mr. Field's of Charlemont, 
at Rev. Mr. Spaulding's of Buckland, at Rev. Mr. Miller's of 
Heath, to Shelbume where he speaks of stopping at Mr. Nim's 
"to dry me," then at Rev. Mr. Packard's, to Hawley to see 
Mr. Grout, and to Plainfield to see Mr. Hallock, after which 
he says : 

My object in calling upon so many ministers this week was 
to obtain their advice concerning my settlement in this town. 

May 10th. The committee of the church and town waited 
on me to converse upon matters relative to my settling here. 
May 11. Began to write an answer to ye call ye church and 
town have given me. May 12. Finished writing my answer 
to ye church and town. Took a copy of it. 

The church and town agreed to pay him "$300 annually so 
long as they pay Mr. Porter, and after yt time $400 annually." 
The contract was made and he "took tea at Esq. Paine's." 

17. Wrote upon a discourse. Walked out to see ye people 
build a staging and seats for installation. 20. Had company — 
Mr. Miller and wife from Heath. Walked over to ye Meeting- 
house to see ye people make seats for installation. * * * * 

As has been noted on another page where an account of the 
installation is given, these seats were arranged around the hol- 
low where the tomb now is, and Mr. Sanderson says it was 
estimated that three thousand people attended the exercises. 



402 History of Ashfield 

June 11. Rode to ye northwest part of Ashfield — Visited 
at Mr. J. Ta^dor's. Preached a lecture at ye school house near 
Mr. Firbush's. Text, John 5, 25. Made a short visit at Mr. 
Ezekiel Howes.' Lodged at Mr. Mark Howes.' Made a short 
visit at Mr. Barnabas Howes,' Mr. Joseph Vincent's and Mr. 
Thaddeus Rood's. Called at Mr. Joseph Stocking's. Returned 
home. * * * 19, Visited at Mr. Asa Porter's, Alvan 
Clark's, Mr. Giles Ranney's, Parsons Mansfield's, Jonathan 
Gray's. Called likewise at Mr. Case's a member of his family 
being sick. 20. Rode to Biickland and called at Rev. Mr. 
Spaulding's. Rode with him to Shelburne to attend a church 
fast appointed on account of 2 or 3 of the sisters becoming 
deranged. * * * * 

Aug. 17. Visited at Mr. George Ranney's, Mr. Brown's, 
Mr. John Bement's, Mr. Burton's and Mr. Joseph Smith's. 
Called at Wd. Sears'. Returned home. Eve, went with two 
others to Esq. Williams' to converse w4th him and Mr. Graves 
(two brothers in ye church), who had serious difficulties to 
settle. Tarried there till midnight. They agreed to make 
satisfaction. Returned. * * * * 

Sept. 1st. Unwell. Rode to Conway. Called at Rev. Mr. 
Emmerson's and at my brother's. Rode to Ashfield. At- 
tended funeral of Rachel Smith's child. Called at Mr. Ward's, 
his child continuing very sick. Went to my lodgings. Very 
much beat out and unwell. Took ye bed. 

Sept. 2. Visited at Mr. Ward's whose child is very sick. 
Visited at Mr. Paul Sears,' who is dangerously sick, and at Mr. 
A. Goodwin's, whose child is sick. Attended a lecture at ye 
meetinghouse. After lecture ye chh conferred together on 
some matters and agreed to set apart Wednesday next as a day 
of fasting and prayer on account of ye sickness and drought 
and ye unhappy state of mind two of ye sisters are in. Visited 
at Mr. Ward's, whose child continues very low. 8. Visited 
at Mr. Ward's, whose child died this morning. 9. Visited ye 
wife of Joshua Howes, Jr., she being very sick. 10. Visited 
at Mr. Stephen Warren's, who has a daughter sick. Visited 
at Mr. Wing's, his son and son's wife being sick. Visited at 
Mr. Abner Cranson's, his wife and daughter being sick and a 
daughter of his died this morning, nearly 17. * * * * 

Oct. 7. Spent some time in bringing home a desk which 
Mr. Wing has been making for me and in arranging matters 
after I had brought it home. 8. Rode to Florida to keep the 
Sabbath there, the people being in a destitute condition. * * 



Appendix 403 

* * 13. A short season was set apart this afternoon for ye 
purpose of rendering pubHc praise and thanksgiving to God for 
ye late displays of his mercy in sending rain from heaven and 
in arresting ye progress of ye pestilence and causing ye voice 
of health to be again heard among us. May we have true grati- 
tude and speak of his mercies in ye midst of judgements. 



A reliable middle aged citizen says he has heard his parents 
tell the story of a young man from this town who went to Wil- 
liams College and for a time roomed with William Cullen Bryant. 
The said young man was very saving, close and even small, 
so much so as to call forth an effusion from his poet roommate 
of which, unfortunately, my informant could recall only these 
lines : 

"Ten thousand souls like his might fly 
In platoons through a needle's eye." 

Mr. Bryant, in his early days, during his sojourn in Plainfield, 
made frequent visits to Ashfield. 

Running extracts from old Account Books : 

1772. To 50 lbs. beef, 8 shillings. 

1 Swine. 84 lbs., 14 s. 

1 bushel com, 3 s. 

33^ pounds butter, Is. 11 d. 

1 Gal. Cyder, 8 s. 

1 quart Rhum, Is. 
To making one grate Coat and 2 Jacoats, 10 s. 6 d. 

Making 2 bunnets, 2 s. 

To 5 pecks beans, wanting 3 pints, 4 s. 9 d. 

Making coat, 8 s. 

" 1 Pair britches, 6 s. 

boarding the school marm 1 week, 3 s. 6 d. 

To one Die tub, 3 s. 

making 1 pair Shoes, 2 s. 

horse to mill, 3 d. 



In the annals of the churches, allusion has been made to the 
removal of members to "distant parts." The Smiths, Shepards, 
Lyons, and some of the Phillipses moved to Stockton and vicinity. 
The Crosses and Lindsleys went to Greenfield, N. Y., and John 



404 History of Ashfield 

Sadler, who had eight children, to Windsor, N. Y.; in pepper- 
mint time the Ranneys, Burnetts and many others to Phelps 
and vicinity. Joshua Howes went to Mohawk Valley, and as 
has been noted, Joseph Howes and some of the Phillipses to 
West Virginia. They sometimes made the journeys with ox 
teams and were several weeks on the way. In 1816, Elder 
Ebenezer Smith moved to Stockton in a cart drawn by two 
yoke of oxen. He took two cows with him and was thirty days 
on the way. A few years ago it was said the cart wheels were 
still preserved in Stockton. 

Letters frequently come to the town clerk and others, from 
descendants of some of these settlers in " distant parts," making 
inquiries concerning their ancestors, and occasionally one drifts 
back to pore over musty records and mossy tombstones in 
search of some knowledge of kith and kin. 



IN MEMORY OF A NOBLE MAN 

On page 384 is noted the dedication of a tablet to the 
memory of Mr. Curtis, at which time Professor Norton gave 
an address. 

That address is given here. 

The meeting was called to order by A. D. Flower, who in 
behalf of the Curtis Club presented the tablet to the town. 
"As the years go by," he said, "this tablet will be looked upon 
by many who did not know Mr. Curtis as we knew him, and 
the story of his life will be told, his writings more widely read 
and the high ideals taught by his illustrious example, will be 
an inspiration to many. The town will forever cherish the 
deep impress which Mr. Curtis left upon it. We can all call to 
mind how he looked as he passed through our streets with his 
elastic, swinging stride, his genial smile, his hearty handshake 
as he met those he loved to call his neighbors and friends. He 
was the most affable of men with that grace of manner which 
puts one immediately at his ease. This tablet is the outward 
and visible sign of the great respect and affectionate regard in 
which the town holds the memory of Mr. Curtis." Charles 



Appendix 405 

Howes, chairman of the board of selectmen, received the tablet 
in behalf of the town in a few appropriate words. The principal 
speech of the evening was an eloquent tribute by Prof. Charles 
Eliot Norton to his dead friend, which is given below. 

Professor Norton's Speech 

Of all the blessings which can befall a community, there is 
none greater than the choice of it by a good man for his home, 
for the example of such a man sets a standard of conduct, and 
his influence, unconsciously not less than consciously exerted, 
tends to lift those who come within its circle to his own level. 
In the quiet annals of this little town there are many incidents 
of local and personal interest, but the incident of chief import- 
ance to its inhabitants of this generation and of coming times, 
was its selection in 1865 by George William Curtis for his 
summer home. Hither for 27 simimers he came to find refresh- 
ment among the hills and woods, to show himself the best of 
neighbors, and to exhibit those social virtues and charms which 
would have made him beloved and admired by any society 
which he might have chosen to adorn. 

It is well that the club named in his honor should set up a 
tablet to commemorate his residence in Ashfield, in this hall 
where his presence has been so familiar, and where his voice 
has been so often heard. It is well that the town should accept 
this tablet as a permanent record of great services rendered 
to it, and to be sacredly preserved so long as its own ever- 
renewed life shall last. It is well that we, the townspeople, 
should meet to dedicate this tablet, the inscription upon which 
records our lasting and grateful affection for the good man whose 
name it bears. 

Happily there are many men in the world, some even in a 
little community like this, whom we, speaking in familiar 
phrase, should call, and rightly call, good men; men who per- 
form fairly well the simple duties of life; who try to be, or at 
least intend to be, estimable husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, 
neighbors; but there are few anywhere whose goodness stands, 
year in, year out, the wear and tear of common days, whose 
virtues are never dimmed by slow-collecting rust, or by the 
dust which rises from even worthy toil and unavoidable cares. 
So, too, it often happens that among many virtues the one is 
lacking which is required to give savor to all the rest ; that some 
black drop in the blood betrays itself in moroseness; that 
feebleness of imagination (the great defect of man) shows itself 



406 History of Ashfield 

in failure of sympathetic consideration for those who most 
need it. 

No, the good man, in the full sense of the word, the man whose 
virtues never suffer eclipse, and whose goodness is not merely 
good but beautiful, is as rare as he is great a blessing to his 
kind. Happiest and most blessed of men is the good man whose 
temperament and character combine to make him as pleasant 
as he is good; whose virtues are the sweet flowering of his 
native disposition, trained by experience and perfected by 
self-discipline; whose character is based on simplicity of heart, 
and who fulfils the new commandment because for him it is 
the most natural mode of self-expression. And if to such a man 
be added great gifts alike of body and of soul, the fine form 
expressing the fine spirit, the sweet voice attuned to the sweet 
disposition, if in him outward grace be the type of grace of 
mind, and physical vigor the emblem of intellectual power; if 
he be endowed with poetic imagination, quickening the moral 
and invigorating the intellectual elements of the nature, and if 
all be crowned by a spirit of devotion to public interests, — 
then we have such a man as he who fills our memories and our 
hearts today. 

You have seen him in his daily walk during almost 30 years; 
can you recall one act, one word of his that was not friendly 
and pleasant? I who knew him from youth to age, I whose life 
was blessed by his friendship for 43 years, find in my memory 
of him such pleasantness that my words come short to express 
it. No one could meet him without being better for the meet- 
ing. "He makes you feel pleasant," an old Ashfield man said 
of him. 

In his relations with others, whether in private life or in 
public affairs, he was singularly exemplary; I mean he set an 
example of simple excellence to us all, fitted to the various needs 
and conditions of our lives. And yet his modesty was such, 
and his simplicity so entire that he walked among us quite 
unconscious of the virtue which proceeded from him, never 
assuming an air of superiority, or claiming the distinction which 
was his due. Seldom has there been so general a favorite as he, 
and seldom a man who received more flattery with less harm 
to the simplicity of his nature. When he returned home from 
Europe in 1850, a youth of 26, with keen perceptions of the 
delights of life, with accomplishments and graces and tastes 
that opened every door to him, with literary ambitions which 
were soon to be gratified by the success of his first book, with 
the youth of both sexes crowding round him at Newport, at 



Appendix 407 

Saratoga, at New York, to follow his alluring lead, and to catch 
from him, if they might, the secret of his charm, — at this time 
he stood at the parting of the ways. As Izaak Walton says of 
his friend Sir Henry Worton, "His company seemed to be one 
of the delights of mankind." He was flattered and caressed, 
and for a time he floated on the swift current of pleasure. It 
would have been so easy to yield to the temptations of the world ! 
But his pure, youthful heart cherished other idols. He heard 
the voice of duty saying, "Come, follow me," and he obeyed. 
The path along which she led was difficult. The times were 
dark. He recognized the claim which in a democracy like ours 
the country has on every one of her sons for the best service 
which he can render. He had a most public soul, and he gave 
himself without reserve to the cause of justice, of freedom and 
of popular intelligence. 

His first books, poetic records of eastern travel, had shown 
that he possessed literary gifts of a high order, a style fluent, 
facile and elegant, capable of conveying clearly the impressions 
of a sensitive and fine spirit. And the books which followed 
them gave proof of his delicate sensibilities, and quick and dis- 
criminating perceptions. They showed him to be a lover of 
Nature and of the arts, a shrewd observer of men, an acute 
critic of life, a delicate and tender humorist. The way of simple 
literary distinction lay open to him. He felt its charm. Con- 
flict was averse to his nature. But the times called for strenuous 
action, and with full consciousness of the attractions of the 
ease and pleasure which he was relinquishing, he turned from 
the pursuit of literature as an end in itself, and devoted his 
literary gifts and accomplishments to political and patriotic 
service. 

MR. CURTIS'S PROFESSION OF FAITH 

In August, 1856, just 40 years ago, at the height of the struggle 
between the forces of freedom and those of slavery before the 
war, Mr. Curtis, then 32 years old, delivered at Wesleyan 
university at Middletown, Ct., an oration on "The duty of the 
American scholar." It was at once a profession of faith and an 
appeal to the young scholars of the land to be true to those 
moral principles which, in a period of material prosperity, are 
apt to be subordinated to mere temporary interests. It was 
the first of that long series of speeches which secured to Mr. 
Curtis a place in the front rank of orators. He had spoken 
often before in public, but on this occasion he found and mani- 
fested his unequivocal vocation as a great master of the art 



408 History of Ashfield 

of persuasive and powerful eloquence. To all her other gifts to 
him Nature had added those of the orator. He was of a fine 
presence and easy grace of carriage, tall of stature, of strongly- 
marked and expressive features, with the masculine nose and 
long upper lip that mark the bom public speaker. His voice 
(it still echoes in our ears) was of wide compass, sweet and full 
in tone, perfectly under control, and in perfect harmony with 
his aspect. Not often has a finer instrument of speech been 
vouchsafed to a man. 

"Do you ask me," said he, in his discourse at Middletown, 
"do you ask me our duty as scholars? Gentlemen, as the 
American scholar is a man and has a voice in his own govern- 
ment, so his interest in political affairs must precede all others. 
* * * * Yie must recognize that the intelligent exercise 
of political rights which is a privilege in a monarchy is a duty 
in a republic. If it clash with his ease, his retirement, his taste, 
his study, let it clash, but let him do his duty. The course of 
events is incessant, and when the good deed is slighted the bad 
deed is done. Young scholars, young Americans, young men, 
we are all called upon to do a great duty. Nobody is released 
from it. It is a work to be done by hard strokes everywhere. 
Brothers, the call has come to us." 

From the date of this oration to the end of his life Mr. Curtis 
never put off the harness or relinquished the arms of public 
service. He took an active part in the local politics of the county 
in which he lived, he became a prominent figure in the politics 
of the state of New York, he exer,cised a powerful influence by 
voice and by pen in shaping the policy of the republican party 
and of the national administration. When the war came — that 
war which to the generation born since its close seems so re- 
mote, but which to us who lived through it is in a sense always 
present, giving poignancy to the disappointment of many of 
the high raised hopes of that heroic time, — when the war came, 
Curtis threw himself into the contest with passionate zeal, 
passionate but not blind or irrational. In the bitter sacrifices 
of the war he shared. In 1862 one of his younger brothers 
fell dead at Fredericksburg at the head of his regiment, thus 
gloriously ending a stainless life of 26 years. His brother-in-law, 
the fair young Col. Robert Shaw, dying at the head of his black 
regiment in the assault on Fort Wagner, and buried with his 
niggers, became the immortal type to all generations of Ameri- 
cans of the ideal hero of hiiman brotherhood. Of the work 
which had to be done at home, no less essential than that in 
the field, no man did more, or more effectively than Curtis. 



Appendix 409 

As political editor of Harper's Weekly he exercised an influence 
not second to that of any other public writer of the time in 
shaping and confirming popular opinion and sentiment. Nor 
did his service in this respect end with the war. 

Sound in judgment, of clear foresight, of convictions based 
upon immutable principles, absolutely free from motives of 
jealousy or ignoble ambition, with no personal ends to serve, 
neither seeking or desiring public office or other station than 
that which he held, he acquired not only general public confi- 
dence and esteem, but secured also the respect of those who 
most widely differed from him. No man of such influence, 
especially with the reasonable class of his fellow-citizens, could 
escape the enmity of selfish politicians whose interests he op- 
posed and against whose schemes he contended. More than 
once he became the object of bitter denunciation. He was 
charged with weakness, with folly, with treachery to his party. 
The charges never disturbed his serenity, nor drew from him 
a reply of passion or of personal retort. He was indeed not 
open to any attack that could disturb the serenity of his soul 
or the sweetness of his temper. I do not believe that in any 
controversy in which he was engaged he ever used an unfair word 
or cast a personal imputation upon his opponent. He did not 
spare the base, the treacherous and the malignant, but he 
never dealt an unfair blow, nor in the heat of conflict forgot 
"the law in calmness made." Wordsworth, in the "Character 
of the Happy Warrior," drew as with prophetic inspiration 
the portrait of our friend. Was he not one — 

Whose high endeavors are an inward light, 
That maikes the path before him always bright ; 



One- 



Who labors good on good to fix, and owes 
To virtue every triumph that he knows. 



One— 



Who comprehends his trust, and to the same 

Keeps faithful with a singleness of aim; 

And therefore does not stoop, nor lie in wait 

For wealth or honors, or for worldly state; 

Whom thou must follow, on whose head must fall 

Like showers of manna, if they come at all; 

Whose powers shed round him in the cannon strife 

Or mild concerns of ordinary life 

A constant influence, a peculiar grace. 



410 History of Ashfield 

One, in fine, who — 

Plays in the many games of life, that one 
Where what he most doth value must be won? 

It was not to service only as a political writer and speaker 
that our Happy Warrior devoted himself during his long years 
of incessant toil. Month after month, from the Easy Chair of 
Harper Magazine he was scattering broadcast seeds of civiliza- 
tion which took root far and wide. In this long series of brief 
essays treating of a thousand topics, always fresh, always timely, 
the grace and skill of his literary art were abundantly displayed. 
He found here a free field for the expression of his humor, his 
sentiment, his fancy, his good sense, his critical judgment, 
his strong moral convictions, his wide sympathies. Manners 
and customs, arts, letters, passing events, life and death, all 
the concerns of men, furnished subjects for the wise and pleasant 
discourse in which his own delightful nature was delightfully 
mirrored. Most of these little papers were slight in fabric 
and ephemeral in quality, but many of them were of such ex- 
cellent substance as to have lasting worth, and to deserve a 
place in literature. And they were more than merely literary 
essays; they were bodies of doctrine, and it would be hard to 
estimate too highly the influence they exerted in refining the 
taste, quickening the moral sensibilities, and raising the stand- 
ard of feeling in a multitude of readers who stood in need of that 
culture which these brief lessons were eminently fitted to im- 
part. It was an inestimable benefit to many a reader of scant 
opportunities for association with the best, to have this monthly 
intercourse with such a teacher. 



HIS CONNECTION WITH POLITICAL MATTERS 

Conscious of his power and of his influence, aware that from 
his editor's seat he was helping to shape the policy of parties, 
to mold the character and to determine the destiny of the na- 
tion, it is not strange, however surprising to men of a lower 
order, that Mr. Curtis never sought for public office, and was 
never tempted by repeated offers of high station in the public 
service. Most men would have found it too hard to resist the 
charm of distinction and of opportunity for the display of 
talent upon the conspicuous field, which these offers opened 
to him. The allurement was, indeed, great, but it was not 
overmastering. He compared one duty with another, and he 
chose that for which experience had proved his competence. 



Appendix 411 

He was helped in his choice by his preference for simple modes 
of life, and for quiet domestic joys and social pleasures. He 
loved his home and his friends too well to quit them for strange 
courts and brilliant company. And so from year to year he 
maintained tranquilly his industrious, laborious, unselfish, use- 
ful career, with steady increase of his powers, with steady growth 
in the respect and regard in which he was held by the public, 
and with the ever deepening love of his friends. 

Of all the many public questions of importance which claimed 
attention in the years following the war, none was of greater 
concern than the reform of the civil service. The "spoils 
system" had become rooted in the practice of the government, 
both local and national, and in the popular theory of its admin- 
istration. This system by which public office was held to be 
not a place of trust to be awarded only to such as were compe- 
tent by character and intelligence to discharge its duties, but a 
place of emoltunent given as reward or incentive for partisan 
or personal services, — this debasing and corrupting system 
had in the course of years become the source of evils which 
threatened the very foundation of our institutions. One of 
the least of these evils was the lowering of the quality of the 
public service and the degradation of the character of the public 
servant. To hold public office was no longer a badge of honor, 
but a token of loss of personal independence and a badge of 
servitude to a patron. The system poisoned the moral springs 
of political effort and action; it perverted the nature and the 
results of elections; it fostered corruption in every department 
of the government, and tended to vitiate the popular conception 
of the duty of a citizen in a republic, and of the very ends for 
which the government exists. To contend against this system, 
intrenched as it was behind the lines of long custom, defended 
by the host of selfish, unprincipled and ignorant politicians, 
and openly supported by both the great parties alike, seemed 
an almost hopeless task. But Mr. Curtis did not shrink from 
the contest. He had faith in the good sense of the mass of the 
people if once they could be roused from their temper of opti- 
mistic indifference. The fight had already begun when he 
entered it, but he had scarcely entered it before he became its 
leader. 

In 1871 he was appointed by General Grant upon the com- 
mission to form rules for admission to the public service and 
regulations to promote its efficiency. He was made chairman 
of the commission, and their report, — the basis of all that has 
since been done in the establishment of the reform, was mainly 



412 History of Ashfield 

his work. But the opposition to the project of reform was 
strenuous, was persistent. The aims of the reformers were 
often baffled, often defeated. But they were not disheartened. 
In 1880 the New York civil service reform association was 
founded, in 1881, the national association for the same end, and 
of both was Mr. Curtis chosen president. In both he held this 
office till his death. The duties were arduous, and were per- 
formed by him with consummate fidelity and ability. He was 
a magnificent standard bearer. Slowly, but steadily the cause 
advanced. He did not live to see its triumph, but he never 
doubted that it would win the victory. It has triumphed, and 
for this triumph with all its far-reaching beneficent results, 
the honor is mainly due to Mr. Curtis, as well as the gratitude 
of his country for her rescue from a grave peril and a great 
disgrace. 

HIS CONNECTION WITH ASHFIELD 

It was in the summer of 1864 that Mr. Curtis first came to 
Ashfield. He spent but a few days here as my guest, but he 
saw enough of the pleasant village and the beautiful country 
in which it lies, to induce him to come back to it with his family 
the next summer, and thenceforth to make it his summer 
residence. For three years he lived on the Flat, in the old house 
then unpainted and needing repairs, which has since been 
modernized and put in order by its owners. Then for five 
years during my absence he occupied my house, and just before 
my return he bought the pleasant homestead in which he spent 
all the remaining summers of his life to the last. Resident here 
for a good portion of each year, for almost the full term of a 
generation, his life became closely associated with that of this 
community, and Ashfield has the right to claim him as her child 
by adoption and his own choice. 

The last 30 years which have witnessed perhaps greater 
changes in the world than any other similar period ever knew, 
have brought many changes to our little town. When Mr. 
Curtis first came here it was more secluded and remote and 
more tranquil than it is today. It possessed much of the char- 
acter of an earlier time. It had, indeed, already lost a good part 
of its population and something of that independence of the 
rest of the world, which if the 10-mile township had been de- 
tached from the earth in the earlier years of the century, and 
sent spinning in space in an orbit of its own, would have enabled 
it to maintain itself comfortably on its own resources, mental 
and material. The 70 varieties of industry which had then been 



Appendix 413 

practiced by its people, had already diminished by more than 
half. There was hardly a farmhouse in which the whirr of the 
spinning wheel, and the clash of the loom was still heard. Its 
little trade with the outer world was carried on mainly by the 
numerous peddlers, who still resorted to Mr. Bement's store, 
as a center from which to draw supplies to replenish the stock 
of their inexhaustible carts. The old-fashioned tavern with 
its long tradition of good cheer, with its sanded floor, and hos- 
pitable bar-room, afforded accommodation to a few travelers, 
and from its stables, early every morning, the coach, driven 
alternately by Mr. Cross and Mr. Phillips, the proprietors of 
the house, set out on its slow journey along the variously pic- 
turesque road to the railroad at South Deerfield, whence it 
returned late in the afternoon. The invasion of summer 
boarders had not begun. The academy was in a condition of 
suspended animation, and its old building was sadly out of 
repair. There was no public library, and the subscription 
library which had once existed, existed no longer. The two 
orthodox churches separated only by the width of the street, 
but divided from each other by the gulf of a bitter quarrel of 
long standing, rang their rival bells in harsh discord every Sun- 
day, and each congregation prayed for good will on earth, and 
devoted their schismatic brethren to eternal damnation. The 
Hoosac tunnel which was to open a way toward the sunset was 
hardly begun, and many a year was to pass before the thread 
of electric wire should tie Ashfield to the restless world beyond. 
For most of the people life was monotonous, for many of them 
it was as it still is, a life of few active pleasures, and of heavy 
toil; and many a man and woman fretting against the narrow 
limits of the farm and restless with the dreams of a wider life, 
were tempted to bid their little native town farewell, and to try 
their fortunes in the world which they saw in vision from the 
mountain-top. 

But Ashfield is a place where nature is beautiful, and where 
man, even yet, has done but little to deface her beauty. Mr. 
Curtis, lover of nature, and of country pleasures, was attracted 
by the loveliness of the region, and tired of the bustle, the 
interruptions, the noise, the multifarious distractions of cities, 
was no less attracted by its tranquillity and repose. He did not 
come here to spend an idle and indolent vacation. There was 
no interruption in the work of the editor of a journal, or in that 
of the active and leading participant in political affairs. His 
editorials must be written every week, his enormous corre- 
spondence must be regularly cared for. But though he sought 



414 History of Ashfield 

no exemption from labor here, he found refreshment in the 
fields and woods, and in the placid flow of the days; he had the 
welcome society of a few familiar friends, and he enjoyed the 
easy and simple relations which he speedily established with 
his neighbors. They, in their turn, so soon as their natural 
suspicion of a strange famous settler among them was overcome, 
learned to hold him in affectionate respect. — They, you, all 
learned to know him as one of the friendliest and most simple- 
hearted of men, ready to take such share as he could in your 
interests, eager to promote every object for the benefit of the 
community, helpful in difficulty, a reconciler of differences 
among neighbors, a wise and sympathetic counselor; kind 
always and generous, for 

July was in his sunny heart, 
October in his liberal hand. 

Who that has lived in Ashfield during these years whose life 
has not been enriched by his presence and his words? Who 
that attended them will forget the autumn lectures which he 
gave annually to increase the means for the purchase of books 
for the library? Who (too few, alas!) that heard his speeches 
at the academy dinners but must remember them as the most 
eloquent discourse to which he ever listened. Never, not 
before the most brilliant audiences, not before the most crowded 
and excited assembly, did Mr. Curtis speak with more splendid 
and impressive use of his great power as an orator, than in this 
little, bare hall of ours, before the scant audience of 300 or 
400 plain people. I recall especially two occasions when he rose 
to such heights of noble and impassioned speech as I never 
knew him to surpass, — once when indignant with the base 
attacks made on Mr. Lowell, he spoke of the character of the 
true American, and in words that came glowing from his heart, 
set forth his friend as the living exemplar of that character; 
and once, when having himself been exposed to slander, to 
abuse, and worst of all to the misconstruction and misjudgment 
of friends on whom he had relied, he depicted with manly self- 
assertion, the duty and the position of the independent in 
politics, in religion, or in whatever field of party strife. These 
were memorable occasions, and it is well, fellow townsmen, 
that they and others like them, which have made this modest 
hall one of the sacred buildings of the commonwealth, should 
be commemorated by a pennanent record upon its walls. 

Of all the pleasures and benefits which the retirement of 
Ashfield afforded him there was perhaps none which Mr. 



Appendix 415 

Curtis more highly valued than the opportunity which the 
comparative leisure that he found here gave to him for studious 
reading, — such reading as might keep the springs of his imagina- 
tion fresh and full, and might increase and perfect his useful- 
ness as a public counselor. "Histories," says Bacon, "make 
men wise," and Curtis was a wide reader of them. Few men 
had a more exact acquaintance with the political history of 
the United States, but he was hardly less familiar with that of 
Old England than of New. But he did not confine himself to 
these, and the volumes of Gibbon, and of Motley stood as near 
to his hand as those of Hume, Macaulay or Bancroft. Im- 
portant as the history of the United States may be, he knew 
that it was not to be correctly understood or rightly inter- 
preted except as a small fragment of that of mankind and es- 
pecially of that of the great English race; he knew that such 
instruction in our own history as is too often given in our public 
schools was a source not so much of useful knowledge as of 
dangerous ignorance, illusion and conceit, and that no people 
can be bred on its own history exclusively without falling into 
childish and barbaric misconceptions as to its true place in the 
ranks of civilized communities, and without losing the benefit 
of those lessons, drawn from the long sad experience of mankind, 
upon the laying to heart of which its own progress and security 
depend. 

But Mr. Curtis's- days here were not wholly studious. The 
morning was for work; the afternoon for a walk with friendly 
companions, or for a long drive over roads, each one of which 
possesses its special charm of landscape, — it may be the wide 
open view of hill and dale to where Monadnock rises on the 
horizon, a pyramid of nature, the monument of solitary past ages 
to which the pyramids of man seem but of yesterday, or it may 
be where the shady road runs between bright meadows whose 
walls are the venerable records in stone of the hard laborious 
lives of the fathers of the town. 

How many are the happy evenings that I recall of gay or 
serious talk, of music, of all the various pleasures of friendliest 
social intercourse, and then the lighted lantern, and the late 
''Good Night!" 

It was a wholesome and simple, pleasant life. And controlling 
it all, diffused through it, was the sweet, high, generous spirit 
of him who was its central figure, loving and beloved of young 
and old. 



416 History of Ashfield 

That comely face, that manly brow, 

That cordial hand, that bearing free, 
I see them still, I see them now, 

Shall always see ! 

And what but gentleness untired. 

And what but noble feeling warm. 
Wherever shown, howe'er inspired 

Is grace, is charm? 

The path between his door and mine is no longer worn as of 
old, the summer has lost its chief delight, but Ashfield is for- 
ever dearer for its memories of him, and not in my heart only, 
but in all our hearts, fellow townsmen, shall remembrance 
abide to quicken what is best within us, to make us kinder and 
pleasanter to each other, more public spirited, better citizens 
and better men. 

Even while he was alive and walking with us his figure had 
an ideal stamp. There was no need of the haze of time and 
remoteness to give nobility to its outlines, or to bring it into 
the eye and prospect of our souls apparell'd in more precious 
habit than it wore in daily life. The actual man, our neighbor, 
editor of Harper's Weekly, member of political conventions, 
occupied as we all are with commonplace cares and duties, 
modest, simple as the simplest, one of ourselves, he, even in 
the prose of life, was a poetic figure, bearing himself above the 
dust and worry of the earth, and living as a denizen of a world, 
such as that place which Plutarch says the poets feign for the 
abode of the gods, — a secure and quiet seat free from all hazards 
and commotions, untroubled with storms, unclouded, and il- 
lumined with a soft serenity and a pure light such as befits a 
blessed and immortal nature. 

Four years have passed since Mr. Curtis's death. The sense 
of personal bereavement and of public loss does not grow less 
as time goes on. The great cause of civil service reform has 
won its triumph, more speedily than he hoped, but vigilance 
and activity will long be needed to defend its position. New 
questions have arisen and new perils threaten us. The times 
have grown darker. No lover of his country can look forward 
without anxiety. At this moment of popular delusion, of con- 
fusion of parties, of excited passions, at this moment, when only 
a choice of evils seems to lie before us, we long to hear, alas! 
that we should long in vain, that clear voice of prudent and 
sagacious counsel to which we were wont to listen for instruc- 
tion and guidance. Never was there greater need than at this 
moment of enforcing upon the intelligence and the conscience 



Appendix 417 

of the people the truth that national safety and prosperity 
rest securely only upon the foundation of moral rectitude, 
of clearing away the sophistries by which the popular mind is 
confused and betrayed ; of exposing the fallacies and stemming 
the passion of partisan zeal; of appealing to the true motives 
which should guide individuals in their political action. This 
was his work while he lived, and, following his example, this 
is our work now. The dangers and exigencies of the time are 
new. The perils that confront us are not transient, nor to be 
quenched or suppressed by spasmodic effort and the result 
of an election. The infuriate clamor for war, the eager cry for 
free silver and fiat money, the demand for subsidy under the 
name of protection may be suppressed, but they are only the 
symptoms of disease, and to suppress them is no more a remedy 
for the disease than to check a fit of coughing by an opiate is a 
remedy for consumption. The disease is the ignorance and the 
consequent lack of public morality of a large part of the people 
of our republic. To contend with this ignorance, to enlighten 
it, and in enlightening it to overcome it, is our task. It is a 
long, a difficult, an uncertain fight that lies before us. It is the 
fight of civilization against barbarism in America. It is the new 
form of the old good fight, fought ever in different ages under 
different names. 

I was wrong just now in saying that we could not hear the 
voice of Curtis. He speaks: "Whatever in human nature is 
hopeful, generous, aspiring — the love of God and trust in man — 
is arrayed on one side." On that side he stood. On that side 
let us stand. 



INDEX 



Abbey, Mrs. Charles, 321. 
Abolition Party, 217. 
Academy, 191, 284, 380. 

Dinners, 197, 198, 380, 384. 
Accidents, Road, 113. 
Agriculture, 119. 
Alden, 

Barnabas. 61. 311. 321. 
Ebenezer, 311. 
Daniel, 60, 61, 70, 311. 
Da\'id. 44. 61. 73. 311. 
Rev. John. 43. 44. 160. 273, 

277. 
John, 60, 240. 
Jonathan, 328. 
Mrs. Miranda, 242. 
Nancy. 183. 
Alder Meadow. 331. 
Allen. Samuel, 44. 323. 
Ames, Col. John, 252. 260. 
Anabaptists, 32. 
Anable. 

Barnabas. 176. 
Samuel. 77. 
Apples, 120, 121. 
Apple Valley, 121, 328. 
Ashfield, 

Centennial, 270, 340. 
Fire & Hose Co., 135. 
Fire Ins. Co., 132. 
Hotel, 36. 
Incorporated, 73. 
Name, 73. 
Water Co., 134. 
Avery, Susan Look, 326. 
Axes, 123. 

Bacon, Asa, 228, 373. 
Bailey, Frank, 61. 
Baldwin, Rev. Burr, 163. 
Ballou, Rev. Hosea F., 172. 
Baptist Corner, 57, 86. 
Society, 32, 149. 
Society 2nd, 39, 155. 
Society Plain, 155. 
Bardwell, Clark, 369. 
Barber, George M., 324. 
Henry, 124, 325. 
Joseph, 124, 325. 
Samuel, 124, 323. 



Barrus, George, 130, 322. 
James, 128, 134. 
Lazarus, 332. 
Bartlett, 

Horatio, 324. 

Dr. Phineas, 43, 44, 90, 98, 

142, 319, 365. 
Capt. Samuel, 228, 230. 
Bassett, 

Abigail, 332. 

Elisha, 320, 332. 

Francis, Esq., 42. 

Francis, 330. 

Henry, Esq., 43, 44, 94, 

182, 225, 320. 
Isaac, 320. 
Lot, 186, 225, 332. 
Mary, 327. 
Samuel, 332. 

Capt. William, 135, 204, 
303, 318. 
Bates, Ceylon. 305, 314. 
Bears, 305. 

Bear River, 52. 62, 75, 76. 
Beaver Meadow, 52, 53, 305. 
Beals, Alden Porter, 194. 
Belding, 

Brothers, 312, 314, 315. 
Ebenezer, 18, 31, 34, 38, 44, 

60, 87, 145, 312. 
Hiram, 195, 312. 
John, 18, 312. 
Moses, 334. 

Milo M., 134, 202, 382, 387. 
Reuben, 70, 76. 
Samuel, 18, 44, 87, 175, 
228, 312. 
Beldingville. 60, 311. 
Bellows Hill, 60, 63, 75, 76, 

109. 
Bement, 

Anson, 44, 94, 217. 
Fred, 315. 

Jared, 38, 43, 163, 365. 
Jasper, 104, 128, 217, 324, 

374, 377. 
Dea. John, 38, 44, 322, 347. 
Joseph, 104, 128. 
Leonard, 43. 



Bement, Russell, 43, 324. 
Samuel, 324. 
Wait, 163, 211, 225, 226, 

324, 341. 
Rev. William, 43. 
Bennett, John, 44, 98, 319. 
Bernard, Gov., 73. 
Billings, Zachariah, 70. 
Blackmer, John, 145. 
Blaisdale, Rev. Silas, 39, 41, 

168. 
Blake, 

Dorus, 326. 
Hosea, 217, 218, 326. 
Joseph, 326. 
Silas, 225, 226. 
Blandford, 58. 
Bloody Brook, 20. 
Boice, 

Chauncey, 207, 245. 
Sanford, 44, 105, 135, 195. 
Sanford H., 127, 324, 385. 
Bowman, Truman, 299. 
Bradford, Mrs. Anna, 327. 
Braintree, 51, 56, 57. 
Braman, John, 310. 
Briggs, John, 84. 
Brigham, Rev. Willard, 156, 

164, 165, 255. 
Bryant, 

Calvin, 321. 
Chauncey, 309, 321. 
Lemuel, 303. 
Dr. Ward C, 322. 
William, 309, 321. 
Zebulon, 84, 321. 
Bronson, 

Almon, 128, 133, 318. 
Chester A., 128. 142, 318. 
Roger, 318. 
Brooks, Dr. Sidney, 366. 
Burnett, Archibald, 324. 
Nahum, 105. 
Willis, 105. 
Burritt, Elihu, 192. 
Butler, Davis, 176, 177, 319. 
Butter, 121. 
Candle Making, 337. 
Cape St., 334. 



420 



History of Ashfield 



Carding Mills, 124. 

Carter, President, 381. 

Cary, Eliphalet, 62. 

Case, James, 327. 

Casualties, 246. 

Catlin, Timothy, 248, 318. 

Cemeteries, 88, 239. 

Census, 122. 

Centennial, 269. 

Chapel Falls, 124, 172, 327 

Chapin, 

Arthur, 128, 324. 
George, 51, 324. 
Japheth, 240. 
Luther, 146, 324. 
Nathan, 69, 70, 324. 
Charlemont, 63, 64. 
Cheese, 121. 
Childs, Horace B., 369. 
Church & Broadhurst, 62, 69, 
76, 147. 

Alphonso, 295, 296. 
Caleb, 330. 
George B., 59, 211. 
Henry, 324. 
Nathaniel, 62. 
Roswell, 123, 294, 297. 
Seth, 44, 3.30. 
Sumner, 330. 
William, 62. 
Civic Service, 320. 
Civil War, 289. 
Clapp, Corporal, 64. 
Clark, 

Alvan, 124, 172, 272. 273. 

274, 327, 381. 
Dr. Atherton, 43, 195, 320, 

365. 
George Bassett, 327. 
Herbert, 121, 321, 328. 
Nathaniel, 163, 321, 338. 
Silas, 322. 
S. W., 41, 40. 
Clary, Samuel, 319. 
Clothier, 334. 
Cole, Horace, 369. 
Congregational Church, 80, 

81, 156. 
2nd Congregational Church, 

165. 
Constitution, Federal, 31. 
Constitution, State, 28, 92. 
Continental Money, 159. 
Converse, Amasa. 41. 



Conway, 58, 74. 
Conway Line, 51, 74. 
Cook, 

Levi, 43, 44, 98, 167, 168 

225. 252, 319. 
Moses. 61. 128. 195. 211 
329. 
Coffin, Robert C, 41, 193. 
Coleman, Mrs. Eliza A., 211. 
Collins, Simeon, 327. 
Collis, Miss, 327. 
Colrain, 57. 

Corn Mill, 58, 59, 63, 122. 
Crafts, A. W., 128, 195, 211, 
306. 
Albert, Jr., 135, 36.5. 
Josephus, 128, 217, 306. 
Creamery Association, 126. 
Crittenden, 
Isaac, 84. 
Simeon, 177, 220. 
Cross, 

Abijah, 40. 
Alvan, 262, 326, 379. 
Henry, 326. 
Lemuel, 130. 
Lyman, 130, 330. 
Peter, 44. 
Stephen, 326. 
Curtis, Geo. Wm., 187, 191, 
210, 371, 377, 383. 
Mrs. Curtis, 1.34, 325. 
Miss Lizzie, 385. 
Gushing, Adam. 49. 52. 
Daniels. Amos. 135. 320, 365, 

384. 
Davis, Asa, 146. 
Day, C. H.. 134, 323. 
Dawes, Hon. H. L., 194, 270, 

319, 348. 
Deerfield, 49, 50, 57, .59. 
Line, 51, 52, 71, 72. 74. 
River, 50, 63. 
Democrats, 257. 
Dickenson, 

Obadiah. 70, 71, 76, 160. 
Dr. David, 43, 320, 365. 
Rev. Mr., 31. 
Diseases, 15. 
Dow, Lorenzo, 320. 
Drake, Arnold, 45, 46. 

Josiah, 44. 
Drowning Accident, 45, 246. 
Dyer, Rev. Anson, 43. 
Earmarks, 119. 



Easton, 18, 59, 60. 
Ecclesiastical History, 31. 
Edson, 

Howard. 167, 244, 318. 

Jesse, 166, 167, 228, 318. 
Edson Meadow, 120. 
Edwards, B. B., 41. 
Eldredge, 

Allen, 312, 319. 334. 

Alonzo, 369. 

Clayton, 319. 

Daniel, 312. 

David, 324. 

Eli, 94, 312, 334. 

E. Payson, 312. 

George, 312. 

Harry, 54, 319. 

John, 332. 

Lemuel, 330. 

Levi, 312. 

Lewis, 299. 

Lucian, 312. 

Lyman, 305. 

Miss Martha, 312. 

Samuel, 44, 312. 
Ellis, 

Dimick, Esq., 32, 39, 43, 
44, 183. 

Dr. E. R., 3, 106. 

John, 84, 240. 

Remember. 65. 

Reuben, 44, 240. 

Richard, 7, 55, 56, 58, 59. 
66, 145, 239. 
Elmer, 

Chapin, 145, 308. 

Charles. 148. 

Erastus, 152, 371. 

Samuel, 318. 

Sidney P.. 311, 318. 
Emigration, 102. 
Emmet, Col. R. T.. 387. 
Episcopal, 

Rectory, 320. 

Society, 39, 162, 165. 
Ewing, Rev. E. C, 165, 206. 
Factory Bridge, 54, 62. 
Faculty, 98. 

Fairbanks, Dr. J. R., 366. 
Farmers' Club, 378. 
Farragut, Admiral, 385. 387. 

Loyal, 134, 387. 
Farrington, John, 373. 
Faxon, Richard, 48. 



Index 



421 



Ferry, 

Noah Henry, 173. 

Thomas White, 172. 

Rev. William, 172. 
Fessenden, Dr. G. R., 211, 

366, 384. 
Field, 

Elijah, 124, 186, 324. 

Mrs. Eliza W., 199, 200, 
208, 387. 

John W., 199, 381, 387. 

Memorial Hall, 202. 

Solomon, 324. 
Fisher, 

Rev. George, 170. 

Rev. Otis, 341. 

Flight of Settlers, 63. 
Flower, 

Archibald D., 123, 124, 127, 
245, 307. 

Lamrock, 145. 

Phineas, 18. 

Rev. Thomas Brinton, 169. 

William, 44. 
Foote, Harrison, 129. 
Forbes, 

Daniel, 121, 162, 183, 329. 

Ebenezer, 243, 329. 

Mrs. Eunice, 279. 

Frederick, 329. 

Warren, 329, 332. 
Ford, William, 125, 134, 331. 
Forts, 20, 64, 69. 
Foster, Lewis, 60. 
Free Soil Party, 217. 
Fuller, 

Aaron, 84, 321. 

Henry, 321, 331. 

Jonah, 129. 

Jonathan, 331. 

Joseph, 321. 

Uoses, 44, 76, 129, 239, 
319. 

Nathan, 89, 319. 

Samuel, 369. 

Solomon, 325. 

William, 148, 331. 
Gardner, 

Bela, 123, 186, 323. 

Charles, 331. 

E. C., 171, 178, 260, 323, 
331. 

Jacob, 123, 180, 331. 

Levi, 133, 370. 

Nelson, 123, 125, 171, 225 
332. 



Gilbert, Rev. Wm. H., 164. 
Gillett, Hon. Francis, 43. 
Goodwin, 

Anson, 121, 194, 322, 375. 
Eldad F., 322. 
George C., 275. 
Uriah, 44, 322. 
Goshen Line, 139. 
Grand Valuation, 120, 122. 
Grange, 370. 
Grassy Meadow, 332. 
Graves, 

Addison, 145, 207, 247, 

319. 
Dana, 109, 123, 244, 319, 

365. 
Dorus, 124, 131, 322, 325. 
Ebenezer, 319. 
George, 328. 
Gravity System, 148. 
Gray, Chief Justice, 382. 
Eli, 45. 
Elias, 326. 
James, 326. 
Jonathan, 326. 
Levant F., 56, 61, 263, 318, 

326. 
Robert, 45, 326. 
William H., 54, 305, 326. 
Great Pond, 306, 307, 314. 
Green, 

Rev. Lewis, 169, 195, 211, 

379. 
Warren, Jr., 6. 
Grist Mill, 123, 124. 
Griswold, Hon. Whiting, 273. 
Grosvenor, Rev. Mason, 38, 

163. 
Guilford, Earl, 171, 172, 348. 
Luther, 323. 
Manly, 186. 
Murray J., 134, 292. 
Samuel, 44, 323. 
Hadley, 56, 58, 59, 70. 
Hale, 

Edward F., 154, 299. 
John, 308, 318. 
Samuel, 308, 371. 
Hall, 

Addison G., 313, 320, 331. 
Alvan, 128, 142, 245, 325, 

344. 
Allen, 313. 
Mrs. Amanda, 3, 223, 224. 



Hall, Charles A., 3, 78, 127, 
263, 316, 313. 

Clarence, 321. 

Clarissa, 344. 

Daniel, 60. 

David, 313, 321. 

George, 44, 94. 

Granville B., 301, 313, 331. 

G. Stanley, 133, 141, 196, 
210, 253, 313, 335, 349, 
380, 388. 

Henry C, 312. 

Isaac, 314. 

Joshua, 61, 75, 308, 312, 
318. 

Jonathan, 312. 

Joseph, 166, 167, 196, 205, 
313, 381. 

Julina O., 335. 

Leon, 240. 

Lot, 167, 312, 334. 

Lucius S., 286, 388. 

Lydia, 313. 

Orville, 109, 344. 

Reuben, 313. 

Rev. Robert, 173, 313. 

Samuel, 312. 

Seth, 167, 217, 313. 

Thomas, 253, 313, 321, 322. 

Virginia, 385. 

William M., 313. 
Hallett, Rev. H. F., 385. 
Hamilton, Dr. William, 43, 

365. 
Hammond, Timothy, 330. 
Harvey, Adell, 43. 
Hatfield, 57. 
Hathaway, Col. Nehemiah, 

123, 303. 
Hats, 126. 
Hawkes, 

Clarence, 332. 

Enos, 332, 367. 

Frederick E., 68. 

Lieut. John, 68, 69. 

William, 332, 367. 
Hawley, 57. 

Hayden, Dr. Moses, 43, 365. 
Heber, Honestman, 55, 61, 

66, 157, 240, 305. 
Hebron, Ct., 34. 
Henry, Geo. G., 127, 128. 
Higginbotham, Henry, 128. 
Highway Surveyors, 88, 112. 
Holmes, Capt. Nathaniel, 44. 



422 



History of Ashfield 



Hoosac Mountain, 58. 
Houses, 145. 
Howes, 

Abbott, 315, 329. 
Addison, 308. 

Albert, 105, 320, 325, 367, 

Allison, 314, 315, 321, 385, 

Anthony, 315. 

Alvah W., 127, 129. 245, 
254, 256, 308, 317. 

Barnabas, 139, 305, 329, 
331. 

Barnabas A., 329. 

Charles, 133, 207, 383. 

Charles F., 323, 324. 

Charles P., 314. 

Cyrus N., 246. 

Daniel G., 292. 

David, 324. 

David S., 103. 

Enos, 331. 

Ezekiel, 178, 315, 329, 
331. 

Ezra, 134. 

Fenelon, Col., 103. 

F. G., 3, 211, 374. 

Frederick, Esq., 42, 315. 

Frank, 345. 

George, 242, 314. 

Harlan P., 314. 

Heman, 148, 244, 314. 

Henry A., 315, 321. 

James R., 292, 314. 

John W., 328. 

Joseph, 103, 104. 314. 

Joshua, 44, 182, 315, 325. 

Capt. Kimball, 218, 303, 
314, 329, 331. 

Mark, 315, 329. 

Micajah, 314, 325. 

Nathan, 329. 

Otis, 314. 

Robert. 322, 329. 

Samuel. 314, 320. 

Sylvester. 299. 

Walter, 317. 

William, 317. 

William H., 331. 

William J., 314. 

Zachariah, 172. 
Humphrey, Rev. Mr., 39. 
Hunt, Ebenezer, 48. 

Ephraim, 15, 48, 50, 272. 
Huntstown, 59, 61, 73, 81, 85, 

109. 
Hunter, W. R., 127. 



Huntington, Rev. Geo. P. 

165, 170, 371. 
Indians, 19, 21, 54, 58, 63. 
Indian Trails, 58. 
Intemperance, 41. 
Jenkins, 

Archie, 330. 
Horace, 173. 
Merritt, 134. 
Jennings, Capt. Ephraim 

2.30, 231, 318, App. 
Johnson, Jonathan, 328. 
Jones, 

Rev. Lot, 39, 168. 
Rev. Dr. Ellis, 170, 322, 
385. 
Journey's End, 334. 
Judkins, Supt. C. L., 202. 
Keach, Joseph, 329. 
Keith, Ephraim, 51. 
Kelley, 

Abner, 44, 243, 324, 371. 
Fred., 124, 222, 317. 
Josiah, 94. 
Thomas, 369. 
Kellogg, 

Nathaniel, 49, 53, 57, 58, 

59, 71, 76, 87. 
Whiting, 130. 
Kendrick, Jerome, 60, 75, 147, 

311. 
Kilburn, Jacob, 321. 
King, 

Foster R.. 128. 
Zadoc, 153. 
Knowlton, 

Dr. Charles, 163, 320, 365, 

368. 
Dr. Charles L.. 254, 301, 

366, 368. 
Joshua, 94, 124, 244, 327, 

328. 
Friend, 328. 
Nathan, 328. 
Madison, 328. 
Know Nothings, 130, 218, 

219, 370. 
Lanfair, William, 57, 60, 75. 
Lee, 

Ann, 372. 
Samuel, 369. 
Leonard, 
Levi, 137. 
Ziba, 94, 328. 
Lesure, 

Roswell, 267. 



Lesure, W. G., 127, 307, 318. 
Lewis, Timothy, 34, 44, 87, 

175. 
Libraries, 203, 284. 
Library, Social, 41. 
Lilliput Lodge, 316, 321, 383. 
Lilly, 

Albert, 301, 330. 
Capt. Albinus, 303. 
Alonzo, 207, 210, 211. 321. 
Austin, 44, 166, 322, 369. 
Capt. Bethuel, 44, 166, 

243, 331. 
Caspar, 300. 
Charles, 207, 316, 323. 
Chipman, 166, 167, 322. 
Eliakim, 132, 314, 321. 
Fred, 134. 
Joel, 167, 300, 331. 
Jonathan, 61, 125, 243. 
Jonathan, Jr., 132, 146, 
148, 167, 168, 204, 314, 
322, 369. 
Joseph, 92, 220, 325. 
Lorenzo, 383. 
Oscar, 331. 
Rufus A., 292, 331. 
Samuel, 77, 88, 319, 330. 
List of names drawing first 

lots, 53, 54, 55. 
List of names in School Dis- 
tricts in 1822, 99. 
List of Shays' Sympathizers, 

91. 
Loomis, 
Eben, 326. 

Elder Josiah, 39. 155, 325. 
Nathan, 325. 
Rev. Wilbur F., 194. 
W. S., 326. 
Longley, Col. Thomas, 94. 
Lot No. 1, 53. 
Lots, 

Division of, 143. 
Ministerial, 144, 160. 
School, 144. 
Lowell, 

James Russell, .383. 
Mrs. Josephine, 387. 
Luce, 

Dr. Cornelius, 365. 
Henry, 300. 
Lyceum, 41, 186. 
Lyon, 

Aaron, 44, 45, 145, 175. 
241, 319. 



Index 



423 



Lyon, Dea. David, 45, 46, 247 

Electa, 183. 

Mary, 40, 139, 183, 191, 
192, 193, 241, 247, 272, 
273, 284, 319. 

Marshall, 319. 
MacFarland, Esq. James, 43, 

162, 182, 204, 320. 
Magistrates, 219. 
Manning, Joe, 322, 374. 
Mansfield, Parsons, 327. 
Mantor, Dr. Francis, 43, 44, 
98, 365. 

Lieut. Jeremiah, 326. 
Marble, Ephraim, 70. 
Martin, Rev. Orra, 39, 46, 

155. 369. 
Masons, 153, 154, 369. 
Mather, 

Cotton, 94. 

Salmon, 369. 

Samuel T., 128. 
Mears, James, 52. 
Meetings, Town, 23, 87. 
Meetinghouse, 1st, 39, 52, 
76, 78, 90, 158, 282. 

New, 162, 251. 
Methodists, 39, 172. 
Miles, 

Daniel, 321. 

Mrs. Lydia, 152, 163, 253, 
348. 

Seth, 344. 
Militia Companies, 94, 303. 
Miller Fund, 263. 
Miller, Salmon, 263. 
Millerism, 374. 
Mills, First, 22, 61. 
Ministerial Lands, 160. 
Mitchell, W. W., 194. 
Mother Ann, 373. 
Murray, Dr., 317. 
Muster, 303, 304. 
Nash, Dr. Rivera, 43, 365. 
New Boston, 330, 343, 388. 
Newton, Asa, 130. 
Nightingale, 

John, 61, 75, 240, 357. 

Samuel, 61, 240. 
Nims, Stoddard, 327. 
Norton, 

Prof. Charles E., 191, 245, 
320, 377. 

Capt. Selah, 44, 127, 131. 
No Town, 76. 
Old Bay Path, 57. 



Old Bears' Den, 142. 

Old Swivel, 217, 308, 309, 

310. 
Orthodox Minister, 76, 79. 
Owen, 

Daniel, 52. 

Mount, 52. 
Packard, Rev. Theophilus, 

195. 
Paddy Hill, 334. 
Paine, 

Elijah, Esq., 38, 43, 44, 
160, 182, 222. 224, 252. 

Rev. Elijah, Jr., 42. 

Rev. John C, 277. 

Rev. Wm. P., 42, 106, 196, 
272, 279. 

Joseph, 319. 

P. M. Gen.. 319. 
Palmer, Ebenezer, 332. 
Parker, 

Elisha, 334. 

Marcus T., 304, 371. 

Rev. Samuel, 334. 
Parson Ashley, 65. 
Parsons, Henry, 292. 
Pearson, Rev. Jacob, 168. 



Asher, 327. 

Rev. C. B. F., 383. 

Rev. C. S., 150. 

Darwin, 324. 

Henry, 324. 

John, 325. 
Peppermint, 104, 105, 126. 
Perkins, 

Abiezer, 44. 

Eliab, 250, 320. 

Horace, 250. 

Jehial, 143, 254. 

Timothy, 129, 239. 
Perry, 

Alvan. 128, 163, 195, 330. 

Rev. Henry, 173, 195. 
Peter Guinea, 142. 
Peter Hill, 14, 140, 142, 345, 

382, 388. 
Phelps, N. Y., 105. 
Phillips, 

Allen, 123, 130. 

Benjamin, 24, 44, 230, 231. 

David, 103. 

Elijah, 103. 

James, 167. 

Capt. John, 51, 56, 58. 

Joshua, 57. 



Phillips, Lemuel, 166, 332. 

Esq. Phillip, 43, 44, 54, 60, 
76, 90, 219, 228, 241, 303, 
305, 318. 

Ralph, 331. 

Richard, 57. 

Simeon, 44, 166, 167. 

Thomas, 18, 34, 44. 60, 70, 
80, 87, 239. 
Physicians, 43, 365. 
Plan of town, 72. 
Pond brook, 59, 63. 
Poor, The, 261. 
Population, 102. 
Porter, 

Rev. Charles S., 42, 278, 
286. 340. 

Job, 59. 

John, 38, 328. 

Joseph, 330, 347. 

Lewis, 36, 1.30. 

Nathan, 330. 

Rev. Nehemiah, 34, 93, 
159, 229, 243. 286, 322. 

William P., 330. 
Pound, 119. 
Pratt, Josiah, 55. 
Proprietors, 22, 48. 
Prouty, Mrs. J. C, 320. 
Province Laws, 74, 81, 82. 
Putney, Ebenezer, 334. 
Railroad Aspirations, 135. 
Ranney, 

Miss Clara, 315. 

Darwin, 327. 

Francis, 327. 

George, 320. 

Giles, 327. 

Henry S.. 3. 87, 105, 133, 
195, 203, 206, 211, 217, 
225, 241, 297, 320, 383. 

Jesse, 240, 320. 

Joseph, 248, 320. 

Ralph H., 206, 296, 297. 

Mrs. Rosa, 110, 131, 312, 
320. 

Capt. Roswell, 44, 204, 
324, 369. 

Samuel, 104, 325. 
Reminiscences, 

Mrs. Lydia Miles, 335. 

H. M. Smith, 345. 
Representatives, 215, 216, 

217. 
Revolution, 26, 27, 227. 
Revolutionary Soldiers, 231. 



424 



History of Ashfield 



Rice, 

Rev. Charles, 74. 

Wilbur P., 156. 
Richmond, 

A. L., 370. 

Albert, 305, 322, 375. 

Charles, 136. 

Hiram, 328. 

Zephaniah, 243, 328. 
Road, First, 75. 
Roads, 89, 109, 110, 111, 112. 
Robbins, Ebenezer, 147. 
Rogers, 

Benjamin, 44, 322. 

Charles, 322. 

Elias, 325. 
Rood, 

Lebbeus, 319. 

Thaddeus, 330. 
Round School, 178, 341. 
Rowe, 57. 

Sabbath Schools, 39. 
Sanderson, Academy, 40, 191. 

Rev. Alvan, 36, 37, 161, 
191. 

Alvan, 2nd, 201, 243, 382. 

Asa, 110, 123, 195, 307, 366. 

Chester, 43, 44, 194, 225, 
270, 319. 

L. C, 123, 204, 249, 307. 
Saddler, John, 76. 
Sandpaper, 126. 
Sawmills, 52, 58, 60, 61, 63, 

70, 123, 125. 
Schools, 87, 175. 
School Committee, 182. 
Sears, 

Asarela, 316. 

Benjamin, 312, 316. 

Enos, 315. 

Rev. Freeman, 42, 316. 

Henry G., 316. 

John M., 3, 211, 245, 316. 

Jonathan, 44, 315, 316. 

Lemuel, 315, 316. 

Lewis, 316. 

Rev. Oliver, 173. 

Paul, 315, 324. 

Peter, 324. 

Sarah, 173. 

Stephen, 369. 
Selden, Azariah, 84. 
Selectmen, 213. 
Settlement, 17, 59. 
Seventy-Six, 140. 
Shakers, 371. 



Shaker house, 342, 373. 
Shaw, Josiah, 132. 
Shays' Rebellion, 30, 91, 92. 
Shelburne Falls, 50, 109, 341. 
Sheldon, Geo., 64, 71, 323, 

358. 
Shepard, 

Isaac, 44, 145, 151, 241. 

Thomas, Rev. Dr., 47, 56, 

60, 162, 195, 266, 270, 
274. 

Sherwin, 

Rev. Jacob, 34, 43, 44, 79, 
80, 157, 158, 229. 

John, 44. 

Joshua, 38. 

Nathaniel, 220, 324. 

William, 324. 

William F., 324. 
Shippee, 

IMrs. Abram, 371. 

Harry, 332. 
Simpson, 

John A., 171. 

Mrs. John B., 275. 
Small Pox, 368. 
Smith, 

Aaron, 239. 

Arnold, 316. 

Bement, 301. 

Betsey, 183, 341. 

Chileab, 18, 20, 32, 44, 58, 

61, 78, 80, 81, 82, 86, 123, 
130, 149, 151, 152, 373. 

Chipman, 44, 343, 316. 
Rev. Ebenezer, 32, 44, 65, 

79, 82, 86, 149, 151, 152, 

154. 
Elisha, 153, 317. 
Eleazer, 319. 
Rev. Enos, 33, 149, 150, 

154. 
Dr. Enos, 38, 43, 142, 162, 

316, 320, 322, 334, 365, 
366. 

Dea. F. H., 242, 248, 316, 

317, 320. 
Rev. Henry, 316. 
Henry M., 316. 
Horace M., 345. 
Houghton, 250, 316, 373. 
Hoyt, 146. 
Jonathan, 316. 

Josiah R., 303, 329. 
Dea. Josiah, 308, 317. 
Josiah P., 322. 



Smith. Capt. Justus, 94, 322. 
346. 

Justus, 347, 348. 

Lydia Bassett, 183. 

M. Elizabeth, 316. 

Mary, 69. 

Moses, 151. 

Rev. Preserved, 42. 

Leiut. Samuel, 316. 

Sidney P., Esq., 150, 277. 

T. P., 130. 

Dr. Walter A., 316, 317. 

Ziba, 129, 239, 250. 
Soldiers' Monument, 301. 
South River, 70. 
Sprague, 

John, 123, 171, 245. 

Eli, 324. 

Jonathan, 84, 255. 
Splints, 126. 

Spruce Corner, 331, 332, 344. 
Spurr, Lemuel, 44. 
Stafford, Ct.. 60, 311. 
Stages, 115. 
Standish, 

Israel, 318. 

Miles, 60, 318, 321. 
Stennett, Rev. Dr. Samuel, 

85. 
Stockbridge, 58. 
Stocking, 

Abram, 321. 

George, 124, 321, 322. 

Joseph, 320. 

Thomas, 44, 90, 373. 
Stockton, N. Y., 78. 
Stores, 127. 
Stoughton, 51. 
Streeter, Rev. Mr., 31. 
Straglin Quarkers, 89. 
Strong, Rev. Titus, 39, 167, 

369. 
Squirrel Hunts, 306. 
Summer Residents, 377. 
Surplus Revenue, 262. 
Surveys of Town, 137. 
Tablets, 114, 384, 385. 
Tabor, Dr. Stephen, 366. 
Tanneries, 321, 322, 323, 324. 
Tatro, 

Charles, 329. 

Joseph, 318. 
Taverns, 129. 
Taxes, 87, 89, 90. 
Tax list for 1766 and 1772, 
95. 96. 



Index 



425 



Tax for 1793. 97. 
Taylor, 

Fort, 63. 

Daniel, 317. 

Dariua W., 300, 318. 

Ephraim, 300. 

Ezekiel, 163. 

Henry, 317. 

Isaac, 164, 317. 

Isaiah, 317, 328. 

Jasher, 317, 318. 

Jeremiah, 317. 

Jonathan, 38, 44, 84, 124, 
313, 317, 322. 

Joshua, 44. 

Reuben W., 300. 

Miss Sally, 317. 

Samuel, Esq., 225. 

Wells P., 300, 318. 

Zebulon B., 130, 242, 331. 
Teachers, 183, 184. 
Temperance, 257. 

Anti, 257. 

Society, 41, 266. 
Telescopes, 327, 328. 
Thayer, Geo., 125. 
Thompson, Judge, 299. 
Tithing man, 88, 220. 
Todd, Mabel Loomis, 155. 
Tornado, 249. 
Tower, Thomas, 334. 
Town Clerks, 214. 

Treasurers, 214. 

Hall, old, 256. 

Hall, new, 251, 258, 259, 
260. 

Surveys, 137. 
Township Plat, 49, 50. 
Training Field, 51, 304. 
Tremblers, 29. 
Turner, Willis, 320^ 
Underhill, Mrs. Henrietta G., 

325. 
Universalist Church, 171. 
Upton, Flint, 322. 
Urquhart, Dr. John E., 366. 
Van Ness, W. J., 135. 
Victory or Vickery, John, 

55, 70. 
Vincent, David, 94, 329. 

Micajah H., 292. 

Joseph, 329. 



Wadhams, Rev. J., 211. 

Wages, 336, 337, 343. 

Wait, Asa, 60, 128, 133. 211. 

George, 299. 

Nathan, 34, 80, 239. 

Seth, 129, 319. 

Simeon, 368. 
War, 

Civil, 289. 

Of 1812, 94. 

Meeting, 298. 

Revolutionary, 24, 26, 27, 
227. 
Ward, 

Caleb, 318. 

George, 294, 325. 368. 

John, 319, 323. 

Luther, 369. 
Wardville, 343. 
Warner, 

Charles Dudley, 380. 

Capt. Thomas. 129, 320, 
321. 
Warren, 

Lewis, 325. 

Stephen, 331. 
Washburn, 

Jacob, 84. 

Nehemiah, 84. 
Wells, 

Old, 147. 

Col. David, 373. 

Peter, 142, 143. 
Wendell, Dr. F. C. H., 171. 
West Virginia, 103. 
Weymouth, 50, 51. 
Whieldon, Joshua, 321. 
Whig, 257, 343. 
Whip Saw, 59. 
White Brook, 18. 
White, 

D. & A., 132. 

Miss Hannah, 247. 

Rev. Moses, 42. 

Samuel, 59. 

Thomas, Esq., 43, 44, 98 
109, 160, 192, 223, 224 
Whitney, Wallace, 325. 
Wilder, C. H., 135. 
Wilkie, John, 84. 
Williams, 

Abel, 303. 



Williams, Apollos, 331. 

Arthur. 320. 

Charles, 44, 320. 

Daniel, 38, 125, 220, 331. 

Darius, 125, 134, 249. 

David, 166. 242. 

Edwin, 328. 

Elon, 299. 

Mrs. E. P., 134. 

Ephraim, Esq., 43, 44, 92, 
98, 109, 125, 137, 204, 
220, 331. 

Ezra, 130, 222, 303, 329. 

Rev. Francis, 273, 277, 331. 

Rev. George F., 172. 

Col. Israel, 21, 64. 

Israel, 121, 143, 242, 328. 

John, 110, 127, 129, 256, 
303. 369. 

Julia. 211. 

Lewis, 44. 

William, 44. 

William and Robert, 121, 
328. 
Willis Family, 318. 

Frank, 328. 

William E., 292. 
Wilson, Dr. Milo, 366. 
Wing, 

A. L., 3. 

Clinton. 242. 328. 

Elisha. 146. 321. 340. 

Hugh, 366. 

Joel, 301. 
Withington, Rev. William, 

39, 168, 169. 
Wittium, Witherel. 68, 75. 
Wooden Ware, 126. 
Woodbridge, Rev. Sylvester, 

162, 166. 
Wolves, 92, 304. 
Wood. 

Jonathan, 373. 

Nathan, 134, 326. 

Simeon, 84. 
Wren, Sir Christopher, 260, 

348. 
Wyoming Valley, 332, 333. 
Yeomans, Jonathan, 176, 177, 
318. 



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